Cambridge, Mass. – The East Cambridge Savings Charitable Foundation, the charitable foundation solely funded by East Cambridge Savings Bank, today announced it has awarded grants totaling $42,000 to twelve nonprofit organizations serving communities across Greater Boston and beyond during the first half of 2026. The grants support a wide range of programs focused on youth development, food security, elder services, and community well-being.
As part of the spring grant cycle, bank president and chief executive officer Tim Bombard personally visited Lynn, Massachusetts, to present a check to La Vida Scholars, a college access and career exploration afterschool program that has helped more than 400 low-income, high-achieving students in Lynn and Chelsea secure over $23 million in grants, scholarships, and awards since 2007. Bombard also toured the Ford Elementary School Mobile Food Pantry, a program operated in collaboration with the Salem Food Pantry that provides students and families at Ford Elementary School with access to fresh, nutritious food throughout the school year. While in Lynn, Bombard also stopped by LEO, Inc., a community action agency founded in 1965 that serves more than 7,000 individuals and families annually through early childhood education, home heating assistance, food distribution, and a broad network of wraparound services, to learn more about the organization's programs. LEO, Inc. was nominated by East Cambridge Savings Bank for a Massachusetts Bankers Charitable Foundation grant and was selected to receive a $5,500 award.
"Supporting the communities we serve is at the heart of everything we do at East Cambridge Savings Bank," Bombard stated. "Seeing firsthand the impact of organizations like La Vida Scholars, the Ford Elementary School Mobile Food Pantry, and LEO, Inc. reinforces why this work matters so much. We are proud to invest in the people and programs that uplift our neighbors and communities, educate our young people, and work hard every day to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.”
Peter Barros, executive director of La Vida Scholars, reflected on the work the organization does and how the bank’s recent donation and visit fosters future collaboration. “The students and families we serve at La Vida Scholars inspire us every single day. Their determination and resilience are something every supporter of this work should witness firsthand,” he said. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity of East Cambridge Savings Bank, whose support makes it possible for us to do this work in Lynn and Chelsea. When bank leaders like Tim take the time to visit and truly understand what we do, it opens doors to the kind of meaningful, lasting partnerships that ultimately benefit the young people we serve.”
The Foundation's first-half grants were awarded to the following organizations:
| Organization |
Grant Amount |
| Adolescent Consultation Services, Cambridge, MA |
$10,000 |
| Mystic Valley Elder Services, Malden, MA |
$5,000 |
| Community Action Agency of Somerville |
$5,000 |
| HarborCOV, Chelsea, MA |
$5,000 |
| North Suburban YMCA, Woburn, MA |
$2,500 |
| Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Inc., Waltham, MA |
$2,500 |
| La Vida Scholars, Lynn, MA |
$2,500 |
| United Way of Mass Bay – Ford Elementary School |
$2,000 |
| SMILE Massachusetts, Sudbury, MA |
$1,500 |
| James L. McKeown Boys & Girls Club of Woburn |
$1,000 |
| Massachusetts Hands and Voices, Burlington, MA |
$500 |
In addition to its grant-making, the Foundation awards scholarships to two graduating high school seniors at each public high school located in the cities and towns where East Cambridge Savings Bank operates a banking center.
The Foundation will open a second grant-making period later this year, with applications due September 15. Nonprofit organizations interested in applying are encouraged to ecsb.com to learn more about eligibility requirements and the application process.
About East Cambridge Savings Bank:
East Cambridge Savings Bank is a full-service mutually held bank that is committed to being the preferred banking partner in the communities it serves. Established in 1854, the Bank strives to provide an exceptional customer experience and generous support for the community. Headquartered in Cambridge, the Bank has locations in Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Chelsea, Malden, Medford, Somerville, Waltham, and Woburn as well as an educational training facility at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. The Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF), and is an Equal Housing Lender.
CONTACT:
Leo Gayne
Vice President, Public and Community Relations Officer
(617) 551-2353
lgayne@ecsb.com