In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Main Street Community Foundation (MSCF) welcomed a sold-out crowd of 380 guests to The Main Event 30th Anniversary Celebration – Meet Us On Main Street at the Aqua Turf Club on September 13, 2025. The night featured a variety of roaming entertainment, live and silent auctions, delicious food, and a memorable celebration of the history of the Foundation and its Founders.

Since its establishment in 1995, MSCF has become one of the leading grant makers in the Central Connecticut region, awarding a total of $32.7 million in grants and scholarships to support the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott. “On behalf of MSCF’s Founders, Board and staff, we are so grateful to everyone who joined us in this celebration in recognition of the work we have done together,” said Susan Sadecki, President & CEO of Main Street Community Foundation. “We can all make a difference in the next 30 years!”

An exciting opportunity was offered at the event, in which attendees could leave a legacy and create lasting change in their local communities while also taking advantage of the stewardship services of Main Street Community Foundation. MSCF offered to match any $5,000 donation to establish a named Unrestricted Community Fund, which then becomes a $10,000 endowment. The match had a massive response and over two dozen donors took advantage of the opportunity. These named unrestricted community funds will be announced at the end of the year.

The Main Event also featured a special “You Be the Grantmaker” program in which the attendees participated in the selection of ten grants, totaling $30,000, to ten local nonprofit organizations. These finalists were chosen from an applicant pool that answered the prompt “Our organization will make a difference in the next 30 years because we will...” All ten of these organizations do incredible work in our communities but only one walked away from the event with the top grant of $10,000.

The recipient of the $10,000 Circa 1995 Grant was Southington Community Cultural Arts. SoCCA is an organization that strives to create an environment in which people of all ages and abilities can have a place to create, exhibit and welcome the arts into their lives. In addition to their gallery and gift shop, SoCCA offers a variety of art classes for both children and adults, as well as their All Access program which connects neurodiverse adults with learning differences and disabilities with their community while providing creative skills training and allows participants to produce meaningful income that enhances their quality of life. The top Circa 1995 Grant will support SoCCA in their mission to connect all community members through art and the creative process.

The other Circa 1995 Grantees announced at the event were:

• American Clock & Watch Museum - $1,000
• Memorial Military Museum - $1,000
• The Agape House - $1,000
• Thy Eagle’s Nest - $1,000
• Veteran’s Strong Community Center - $1,000
• PARC - $2,500
• Plymouth Community Food Pantry - $2,500
• Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut - $5,000
• Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center - $5,000

From the sold-out attendance, near 100 percent participation in “You Be the Grantmaker,” and the overwhelming response for the matching fund opportunity, MSCF is honored by the community support shown for The Main Event and celebration for the Foundation’s 30 years of work in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott. Cheers to 30 years, and to 30 more!