The Entertainment Community Fund was founded in 1882 as the Actors’ Fund of America; its first president J. Lester Wallack was a Lamb. The Lambs would often first meet at Wallack’s Theatre, which is where the Fund held its first meeting. The Funds’ first VP (A.M. Palmer), Secretary (Daniel Frohman) were also Lambs. Of the Funds’ Trustees about 1/3 were Lambs. Shepherd Tom Dillon was the Fund President for many years, as is the current Fund CEO, Joe Benincasa. Shepherds Richard Charles and A.J. Pocock were trustees, as were Lambs’ vice presidents Mike Merian and Ed Herlihy, and Lambs Council Member Fran Gaar.
The Fund and The Lambs continue a close relationship today. Of the 12 Chairman, eight Lambs serving as the Fund Chairman (formerly titled president) are: Lester Wallack (1882-1883), Albert M. Palmer (1885-1897), Louis Aldrich (1897-1901), Daniel Frohman (1904-1940), Walter Vincent (1941-1959), Vinton Freedley (1959-1969), Louis A. Lotito (1969-1979), Tom Dillon (1989-2004).
On May 9, 2022, the Fund rebranded itsel and is now officially the Entertainment Community Fund.