Since 2001, the Women & Girls Fund has awarded grants to organizations and individuals in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott.

In 2024, $60,000 in program grants were awarded to 14 organizations. In addition, two additional named funds at Main Street Community Foundation supported proposals submitted to the Women & Girls Fund.

The 2024 grants supported the following causes, programs and projects:

Boys & Girls Club of Bristol - $5,000
SMART Girls: Giving Girls Confidence program for girls ages 8-12 to teach responsibility and to develop a healthy attitude and lifestyle by engaging in discussions and activities that reinforce positive behavior
John & Gloria DiFrancesco Fund for Women and Girls
Barbara Hackman Franklin Fund for Women
Women & Girls Fund

Bristol Family Resource Centers - $5,000
Expansion of the Girl Up! program, a targeted small-group intervention to build leadership skills in girls ages 6-12 in three Bristol Public Schools: Greene-Hills School, South Side School and West Bristol School

BristolWORKS! - $3,400
Women’s Workforce Empowerment Series program, a series of workshops to empower women to be confident, successful, and healthy within the workplace and develop skills for both in and out of the workplace

Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut - $1,200
Women’s Outdoor Adventure Day at Indian Rock Nature Preserve, a full-day program to empower women and girls, ages 10 through adult, by providing opportunities to connect with nature and engage in a variety of outdoor activities

Girl Scouts of Connecticut - $5,000
Supporting Girl Scout memberships and camperships to provide access to programs and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience by removing financial barriers for members and new troop leaders

Memorial Military Museum - $1,500
Bristol Women in the Military program, honoring over 120 Bristol women who have contributed to local and national military heritage

Plainville Youth Services - $3,000
A Space to Shine program which will empower young girls to reach their fullest potential and develop confidence, leadership and coping skills using arts and humanities workshops

Plymouth Community Food Pantry - $3,000
Access to Personal Care Items for Senior Women (APCISW) program to provide senior women with personal care products falling into four categories: hygiene, incontinence, dental, and other, which SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase

Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. - $7,000
Domestic Violence Counseling and Support Groups for Women and Girls program offering counseling services focused on women’s mental health and wellbeing, providing emotional support and practical assistance to address the complex impact of domestic violence on their lives. 

Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center, Inc. - $6,125
Women’s Equine Gestalt Group, an on-going program to strengthen mental health, well-being, and self-esteem for mature women

St. Vincent De Paul Mission of Bristol - $3,805
Unrestricted support for women and girls

The Agape House - $4,000
To establish a fund for clothing for women and girls that will allow the purchase of items that are properly sized, as well as specific type of clothing such as scrubs, non-slip shoes, etc. to meet individual personal needs

Wolcott Youth Services/ Kelly’s Kids - $1,970
Girls on the Run program for middle school aged girls focusing on the physical element of running, emotional well-being, and learning life skills to build strength and resilience.
Additional funding to be used to cover the total program cost for wages.

YWCA of New Britain - $10,000
The Sexual Assault Crisis Service program for women and girls provides free and confidential services to survivors of sexual violence. Services include: 24-hour crisis hotlines, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, accompaniments and advocacy to medical, police, and court proceedings, campus services, information and referrals, state certification training for Counselor Advocates, prevention education for all ages/groups, and outreach events in the community.

2025 Women & Girls Fund Grants

2023 Women & Girls Fund Grants

2022 Women & Girls Fund Grants

2021 Women & Girls Fund Grants