The need for a new organisation was identified from research undertaken in the Spring of 2002 by the Community Finance Solutions team at the University of Salford. The research involved small businesses, social enterprises and voluntary organisations, enterprise support organisations and housing and regeneration bodies. The research highlighted a lack of provision in rural financial services that Foundation East helps to address.

Suffolk Regeneration Trust became Foundation East in Spring 2006 – the name reflecting both the geographic reach of the organisation and the role it plays in helping individuals and communities to build their futures.