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 Whitney Shufelt, Director of Grants & Programs, or another member of the grants 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 

Letters of Inquiry cycle for new funding requests open on January 5, 2026 - Applications Due February 13, 2026
Continued funding cycle open on February 23, 2026 - Applications Due March 20, 2026

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 accepted twice a year for new projects including programs, capital requests, and initiatives that improve the health and well-being of Southington residents. Continued Funding requests are accepted twice a year for programs, projects, and initiatives that are currently supported by the Trust. Grants generally range from $25,000 to $100,000.

Funding requests must align with at least one of the following 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

Organizations must contact Whitney Shufelt, Director of Grants & Programs, at whitney@mainstreetfoundation.org or 860.583.6363 at least 1 week prior to the deadline to determine eligibility prior to applying.

Visit Main Street Community Foundation’s Online Grants Center to apply if eligible and to find the program's full guidelines and eligibility criteria.

Burlington Community Fund 

Cycle Closed

The Burlington Community Fund was established in 2011 by a group of committed community leaders in Burlington to create a resource for charitable projects and programs that enhance the lives of Burlington residents. Grants are awarded to public institutions and private tax-exempt organizations engaged in charitable activities defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The organization or the program for which funding is requested must be located in Burlington and benefit Burlington residents. Grant requests should support one of the following program areas: Basic Needs, Access to Opportunity and Vibrant Communities. Applicants must be in compliance with all previous grant reporting requirements to be eligible for a grant.

Grants approved in the Burlington Community Fund grant cycle are awarded from both the Burlington Community Fund and the James R. Parker Trust.

How to Apply

Applicants must contact Whitney Shufelt (whitney@mainstreetfoundation.org), Director of Grants & Programs, or Alicia Krar (alicia@mainstreetfoundation.org), Grants Manager, at 860.583.6363 at least 1 week prior to the deadline to determine eligibility.

Visit Main Street Community Foundation’s Online Grants Center to apply if eligible and to find the program's full guidelines and eligibility criteria.

Louise Lauretano DeMars Love of Art Fund

Cycle Closed

The Louise Lauretano DeMars Love of Art Fund awards grants to individual artists to help further their creativity, explore their talent, or expand their learning.  

Grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are awarded to individual artists who have resided in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, or Wolcott for a minimum of two years.

This fund honors the memory of Louise Lauretano DeMars who passed away January 9, 2023. Louise's contributions to the museum industry as well as the arts and culture community were many. Most notably in the greater Bristol community, her 28-year tenure as the Executive Director of the New England Carousel Museum established the museum as a national tourist destination. Louise was a valued member of many organizations and associations over the course of her career. This fund will continue her joy and passion for art while inspiring future artists.  

How to Apply

Applicants must contact Whitney Shufelt, Director of Grants & Programs, at whitney@mainstreetfoundation.org, or Alicia Krar, Grants Manager, alicia@mainstreetfoundation.org, at least 1 week prior to the deadline to determine eligibility prior to applying.

Visit Main Street Community Foundation’s Online Grants Center to apply if eligible and to find the program's full guidelines and eligibility criteria.  

General Grant Cycle 

Cycle Opens February 2, 2026 - Applications Due March 27, 2026

Grants from Main Street Community Foundation have made a positive difference on thousands of people throughout our area since the Foundation's establishment in 1995. While the majority of grants distributed by the Foundation benefit designated organizations for which the funds are established or are directed by individual donors, the Foundation administers many 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 to be eligible.

Preference is given to programs/projects that:

  • Respond to changing or emerging needs of the community;
  • Leverage or generates other funding or resources;
  • Promote collaboration among nonprofit organizations without duplication of efforts; and/or
  • Enhance an existing program to encourage sustainability.

Grants are made to support future, planned expenditures. Operating deficits or previously-incurred obligations are not eligible.

In addition to numerous other unrestricted and FOI funds, the Foundation has Field of Interest (FOI) funds available that support the specific purposes listed below:

  • Care and support of animals.
  • Sports field maintenance in Bristol and Burlington.
  • Programs/projects benefiting 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.

For Return Applicants

If you are applying for a second consecutive year of funding for the same program, you qualify for an abbreviated application.

Organizations cannot receive funding from the General Grant Cycle for more than two consecutive years. The Foundation’s Distribution Committee, a volunteer group of 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 Whitney Shufelt (whitney@mainstreetfoundation.org), Director of Grants & Programs, or Alicia Krar (alicia@mainstreetfoundation.org), Grants Manager, at 860.583.6363 at least 1 week prior to the deadline to determine eligibility.

Visit Main Street Community Foundation’s Online Grants Center to review the program's full guidelines and eligibility criteria and if eligible, to apply when the next cycle opens in February 2026.  

Men & Boys' Fund 

Cycle Closed

The Men & Boys' Fund was established in 2016 by a group of local, committed men. Through grantmaking, the Foundation supports men and boys in our area to improve their quality life, increase self-sufficiency and make positive differences in their community. Grants are made 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

Applicants must contact Whitney Shufelt (whitney@mainstreetfoundation.org), Director of Grants & Programs or another member of the grants team at 860.583.6363 at least 1 week prior to the deadline to determine eligibility.

Visit Main Street Community Foundation’s Online Grants Center to apply if eligible and to find the program's full guidelines and eligibility criteria.

Plainville Community Fund 

Cycle Opens February 2, 2026 - Applications Due March 13, 2026

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 public institutions and private tax-exempt organizations engaged in charitable activities defined by Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The organization or the program for which funding is requested must be located in Plainville and benefit 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. 

How to Apply

Applicants must contact Whitney Shufelt (whitney@mainstreetfoundation.org), Director of Grants & Programs, or another member of the grantmaking team at 860.583.6363 at least 1 week prior to the deadline to determine eligibility.

Visit Main Street Community Foundation’s Online Grants Center to review the program's full guidelines and eligibility criteria and if eligible, to apply when the next cycle opens in February 2026.

Women & Girls Fund 

Cycle Closed

The Women & Girls Fund was founded in 2001 by a group of caring and committed women. Through grantmaking, the Foundation assists women and girls to obtain skills and competencies that develop their potential and improve the quality of their lives. Grants help build internal capacity to ensure ongoing support of women and girls in the local communities. preprogram costs and capital expenditures that meets grant guidelines are welcome to apply.

2025 Grantmaking Priorities

Based on input from over 20 participating grantee and community partners, Main Street Community Foundation identified three priority areas for the Women & Girls Fund. 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 to organizations serving women and girls of any age in the towns of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott. We encourage and will be given special consideration to collaborations between organizations. 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

Applicants must contact Whitney Shufelt (whitney@mainstreetfoundation.org) Director of Grants & Programs or another member of the grants team at 860.583.6363 at least 1 week prior to the deadline to determine eligibility.

Visit Main Street Community Foundation’s Online Grants Center to apply if eligible and to find the program's full guidelines and eligibility criteria.