In 1974, Episcopal Ministries to the Aging, Inc. was organized as a not-for-profit, membership corporation to implement the bequests of the estates of Frank and Viola Beasman. These bequests, made to The Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Maryland (the "Diocese") consisted of approximately three million dollars and approximately 363 acres of land in south Carroll County, Maryland (approximately 55 acres of which were subsequently sold to Carroll County for inclusion in a nearby recreational park). The purpose of the bequests was to "establish and maintain a home for aged men and women." The Diocese accepted the bequest and, in 1980, a continuing care retirement community known as Fairhaven was opened. In 1991, through a corporate reorganization, the original Episcopal Ministries to the Aging, Inc. changed its name to Fairhaven, Inc. and a new corporation was formed, assumed the name of Episcopal Ministries to the Aging, Inc. and became the sole corporate member of Fairhaven. In May, 1999, Episcopal Ministries to the Aging, Inc. formally adopted "EMA" as both its trade name and logo.

EMA is a Maryland not-for-profit, membership corporation. The members of the Board of Trustees of EMA (the "EMA Board"), whomever they may be from time to time, serve as the member of EMA, thus making the EMA Board a self-perpetuating Board. The Bishop of the Diocese and the President/CEO of EMA serves as ex-officio members of the EMA Board. At least fifty percent of the EMA Board must be made up of Episcopalians residing in the Diocese.

EMA and all of its not-for-profit affiliates are exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue code of 1986 (the "Code") as organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code; further, the Internal Revenue Service has granted EMA and all of its not-for-profit affiliates non-private foundation status under Section 509(a) of the Code.