Egenton Home, Inc. was established and funded in 1836 under the provisions of the Last Will and Testament of William Egenton, a member of The First Presbyterian Church (now First & Franklin Presbyterian Church) of Baltimore, Maryland. William Egenton was moved to establish his charitable foundation for the benefit of orphan girls by the tragic death of his only daughter, Jane Nimmo Egenton, on her third birthday in 1834.

Egenton Home, Inc. was incorporated in 1860 by an Act of the General Assembly of Maryland. Beginning October 1880, Egenton Home, Inc. operated orphanages or group homes for girls in Baltimore until its most recent group home at 708 Park Avenue was closed and then sold in 2012. At that time, the Board of Managers concluded that continued operation of group homes was disfavored by current programming models, and determined that the charitable purposes of Egenton Home's charter would best be served by focusing on making grants to support worthy programs in Baltimore that benefit the health, education and welfare of minor females.

After Egenton Home, Inc. was organized, the Annie and Howland Roberts family (also members of The First Presbyterian Church) made a financial bequest to Egenton Home, Inc. Under the provisions of Annie Roberts’ 1946 Will, their funds were to be used for the same charitable purposes as those specified by William Egenton.  Consequently, Egenton Home, Inc. manages the combined Egenton and Roberts legacy endowments under the name Egenton~Roberts Foundation. 

Under the governing provisions of William Egenton's Will (as revised from time to time by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland), the purpose of Egenton Home, Inc. is to provide for the health, education, and welfare of female minors. Members of the Board of Managers must be Members or Friends of the First & Franklin Presbyterian Church of Baltimore, Maryland.

To learn more about the missions of First & Franklin Presbyterian Church, located at 210 West Madison Street in Baltimore City, please visit the church's website at www.firstfranklin.org.