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 Open for Continued Funding Applications. Deadline is March 15. 

The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust was established by the late Bradley Henry Barnes of Southington to support the health and well-being of Southington residents.  The Trust distributes grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving the Southington community. Letters of Inquiry are typically accepted in January and August 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
  • Behavioral Health
  • Healthy Initiatives and Lifestyle including, but not limited to:
    • Availability and Access to Healthy Food
    • 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

  1. Organizations can contact Kate Kerchaert, Director of Grants & Programs, at Kate@mainstreetfoundation.org or 860-583-6363 for a determination of eligibility. 
  2. Main Street Community Foundation utilizes an online grants platform. Visit our Online Grants Center to apply when the next cycle opens. You will also find the program's full guidelines and eligibility criteria there.

2024 Burlington Community Fund 

An application cycle for grants distributed from the Burlington Community Fund will no longer be conducted in the fall. If you have a program/project that benefits residents of Burlington for which you are seeking grant funding, please apply in the General Grant Cycle opening on February 1 with applications due on March 22.


2024 General Grant Cycle 

Cycle Open. Application deadline is March 22. 

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.

  • Grants for programs, capital expenditures and general operating support will be considered

  • 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 are not eligible to apply in the current grant cycle. 

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.

*Please take note that we have Field of Interest (FOI) funds available in the General Grant Cycle that support the following specific uses:

  • Care and support of animals.
  • Sports field maintenance in Bristol and Burlington.
  • Programs/projects benefitting the Burlington community.
  • Non-sport, noncompetitive programs and activities for children attending elementary and middle schools in Southington. Programs and activities must involve direct and active participation by the children and will promote and encourage self-expression and personal accomplishment.

Grants from these funds are in addition to numerous other unrestricted and FOI funds.

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

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 on  February 1, 2024. You will also find the program's full guidelines and 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 of their proposal at least 1 week prior to the deadline. 


Men & Boys' Fund 

The 2023 grant cycle is 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. Any organization who has received a grant for three consecutive years will not be eligible to apply for a grant the following year. 

The Men & Boys' Fund Advisory Board 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 guidelines and 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.


Plainville Community Fund 

Cycle Open. Application deadline is March 15, 2024.

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 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 on February 1, 2024. You will also find the program's full guidelines and 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 

The 2023 grant cycle is 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 and capital requests that are related to a program that meets grant guidelines.

2023 Grantmaking Priorities

Main Street Community Foundation recently hosted a focus group on the current and emerging needs of local women and girls to better inform our grantmaking priorities. Based on input from over 20 participating grantee and community partners, we have identified three priority areas for 2023. Preference will be given to grant requests that address the following needs:

  1. Services for Senior Women: Programs that provide supports to senior women to increase self-sufficiency such as - basic needs, financial literacy resources, and opportunities to decrease social isolation
  1. Confidence Building and Leadership: Programs that build self-esteem and self-reliance particularly in young girls and teens such as - programs that promote connections with a caring and stable adult, programs that promote financial literacy and life-skills, and programs that develop skills to be a successful leader in school, the community or in a career.
  1. Mental Health and Well-being: Programs that reduce anxiety and stress through non-clinical methods, teach mindfulness skills, and improve overall self-care and well-being for women of all ages

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. Collaborations between organizations are encouraged and will be given special consideration. Applicants must be in compliance with all previous grant reporting requirements to be considered in the current grant cycle. 

The Women & Girls Fund Advisory Board 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 guidelines and 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 of their proposal at least 1 week prior to the deadline.