APPLY FOR A GRANT

Main Street Community Foundation welcomes grant requests from organizations that serve our geographic area, which includes Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott, Connecticut.

Potential applicants must contact Kate Kerchaert, Director of Grants & Programs, or another member of the grantmaking team at least 1 week prior to the grant application deadline to discuss the proposed project and to determine eligibility.

Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust - Cycle Closed
The Broad View Fund - Cycle Closed
Burlington Community Fund - Cycle Closed
General Grant Cycle - Cycle Closed
Men & Boys' Fund - Cycle Closed
Plainville Community Fund - Cycle Closed
Women & Girls Fund - Cycle Closed

Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust

This grant cycle is currently closed.

The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust was transferred to the Main Street Community Foundation in 2004 and was established by the late Bradley Henry Barnes of Southington to support the healthcare needs of Southington residents. The Trust distributes grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving the Southington community. Letters of Inquiry are typically accepted in the spring and the fall for new capital projects, programs or initiatives that improve the health and well-being of Southington residents. Continued Funding requests are accepted twice a year, after the LOI cycles conclude (typically March and September), for programs, projects, and initiatives currently being supported by the Trust. Grants generally range from $25,000 to $100,000.

Funding requests must align with at least one of the following identified community health and healthcare priority areas:

Health/Health Care Needs for an Aging Population
Substance Use and Mental Health
Healthy Initiatives and Lifestyle including, but not limited to:
- Availability and Access to Healthy Food
- COVID-19 recovery efforts
- Environmental Protection and Sustainability of Natural Resources
- Fitness and Health
- Health Equity
- Health Literacy and Education
- Transportation and Access to Health Services

The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust Advisory Committee recommends all grant decisions for final approval by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

How to Apply

Organizations can contact Kate Kerchaert, Director of Grants & Programs, at Kate@mainstreetfoundation.org or 860-583-6363 for a determination of eligibility at least one week prior to the deadline.
Main Street Community Foundation utilizes an online grants platform. To apply, visit our Online Grants Center to complete and submit your application when the cycle opens again on Feb. 20, 2023 for accepted LOIs and continued funding requests. You will also find the program's full eligibility criteria there.

The Broad View Fund

This grant cycle is currently closed.

The Broad View Fund was established in 2016 by Bristol residents, Bob Alim, Bob Boudreau and Kevin Prior, collectively known as BBK, to support charitable projects that benefit the residents of Bristol. Proposals will be considered for programs or initiatives that are intended to create game-changing opportunities to support emerging issues and the social needs of the diverse cultures of Bristol residents. In particular, new programs or requests that enhance, expand or add a new dimension to an existing program are encouraged.

How to Apply

Grant Guidelines, and Letter of Inquiry format and timeline, will be posted when the cycle is open.

Burlington Community Fund

This grant cycle is currently closed.

The Burlington Community Fund was established in 2011 by a group of committed community leaders in Burlington who were interested in creating an additional resource for charitable projects and programs that would enhance the lives of Burlington residents. Grants are made to either a public institution or private tax-exempt organization engaged in charitable activities defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Either the organization or the program for which funding is requested, must be located in Burlington and be of benefit to Burlington residents. Grant requests should fall within the following program areas: Basic Needs, Access to Opportunity and Vibrant Communities.

Applicants must be in compliance with all previous grant reporting requirements. The Foundation also requires that all applicants take a year off after receiving a grant for two consecutive years.

The Burlington Community Fund Advisory Committee recommends all grant decisions for final approval by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

How to Apply

Main Street Community Foundation utilizes an online grants management system. The cycle is currently closed, but visit our Online Grants Center to apply when the next cycle opens. You will also find the program's full eligibility criteria there.

Applicants must contact Kate Kerchaert (kate@mainstreetfoundation.org) Director of Grants & Programs or another member of the grantmaking team at 860.583.6363 for a preliminary discussion at least 1 week prior to the deadline.

2023 General Grant Cycle

This grant cycle is currently closed.

Grants distributed from Main Street Community Foundation have made a positive difference for thousands of people throughout our area since the Foundation's establishment in 1995. While the majority of grants distributed each year benefit designated organizations for which the funds are established or are directed by individual donors, the Foundation administers a number of funds whereby grant awards are made through a competitive grant cycle.

Grant requests for the General Grant Cycle should fall within the following program areas: Basic Needs, Access to Opportunity and Vibrant Communities and must benefit the residents of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and/or Wolcott.

Applicants must be in compliance with all prior grant reporting requirements in order to be eligible to apply in this cycle. If you are applying for a second consecutive year of funding for the same program, please check with us to see if you qualify for an abbreviated application.

If you have received funding from the General Grant Cycle for two or more years in a row, you must take this year off. There are some exceptions for basic needs. Please call the Foundation office to discuss prior to starting an online application.

Competitive grants are made to eligible community organizations for future, planned expenditures and not to cover operating deficits or previously incurred obligations. Preference is given to an organization if the program/project:

Responds to changing or emerging needs of the community;
Leverages or generates other funding or resources;
Promotes collaboration among nonprofit organizations without duplication of efforts; and/or
Enhances an existing program to encourage sustainability.

The Foundation’s Distribution Committee, a volunteer group of appointed community representatives, recommends all grant decisions for final approval by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Applicants will be notified of decisions by email in mid-June.

How to Apply

Applicants must contact Kate Kerchaert (kate@mainstreetfoundation.org), Director of Grants & Programs, or another member of the grantmaking team at 860.583.6363 for a preliminary discussion of their proposal at least 1 week prior to the deadline.

Men & Boys' Fund

This grant cycle is currently closed.

The Men & Boys' Fund was established in 2016 by a group of local, committed men. Through its grantmaking program, the Fund works to make it possible for men and boys to improve the quality of their lives, increase self-sufficiency and make a positive difference in their community. Grants are made from the Men & Boys' Fund to organizations serving males of any age in the towns of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott.

Applicants must be in compliance with all previous grant reporting requirements. The Foundation also requires that all applicants take a year off after receiving a grant for three consecutive years.

The Men & Boys' Fund Advisory Board recommends all grant decisions for final approval by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

How to Apply

Plainville Community Fund

This grant cycle is currently closed.

The Plainville Community Fund was established in 2006 by a group of Plainville leaders to create an additional resource for charitable projects and programs that would enhance the lives of Plainville residents. Grants are made to either a public institution or private tax-exempt organization engaged in charitable activities defined by Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Either the organization or the program for which funding is requested, must be located in Plainville and be of benefit to Plainville residents. Grant requests should fall within the following program areas: Basic Needs, Access to Opportunity and Vibrant Communities.

Applicants must be in compliance with all previous grant reporting requirements. The Foundation also requires that all applicants take a year off after receiving a grant for two consecutive years.

The Plainville Community Fund Advisory Committee recommends all grant decisions for final approval by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Applicants will be notified of decisions by email in mid-May.

How to Apply

Main Street Community Foundation utilizes an online grants platform. The cycle is currently closed, but visit our Online Grants Center to apply when the next cycle opens. You will also find the program's full eligibility criteria there.

Applicants must contact Kate Kerchaert (kate@mainstreetfoundation.org), Director of Grants & Programs, or another member of the grantmaking team at 860.583.6363 for a determination of eligibility at least 1 week prior to the deadline.

Women & Girls Fund

This grant cycle is currently closed.

The Women & Girls Fund was founded in 2001 by a group of caring and committed women. Through its grantmaking program, the Women & Girls Fund assists women and girls with obtaining the skills and competencies to develop their potential and improve the quality of their lives. The Women & Girls Fund seeks to deepen its impact by providing grants that will allow organizations to build internal capacity to ensure ongoing support of women and girls in the local communities. Applications will be accepted for program grants, capital grants and general support for emerging needs and continuing recovery efforts.

Grant requests should fall within the following program areas: Basic Needs, Access to Opportunity and Vibrant Communities. Grants are made from the Women & Girls Fund to organizations serving women and girls of any age in the towns of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott.

Applicants must be in compliance with all previous grant reporting requirements. The Foundation also requires that all applicants take a year off after receiving a grant for three consecutive years.

The Women & Girls Fund Advisory Board recommends all grant decisions for final approval by the Foundation's Board of Directors.

How to Apply