Main Street Community Foundation (MSCF) completed its 2025 grantmaking with awarding a total of $897,949 in grants from the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust, including nearly $250,000 this fall. Grants from this Trust go exclusively to improving the health outcomes of Southington residents by funding projects and programs supporting behavioral health, healthcare needs for the aging population, and healthy initiatives and lifestyles.

The grants awarded in the fall grant cycle are as follows:

• Southington Land Conservation Trust - $30,000 - Funds will support the restoration and development of a nearly 60-acre property donated to them, called the Lovely Preserve at 370 Welch Road. The project will create a public nature area with walking trails and native habitat restoration that is free and accessible for all residents.
• Bread for Life - $54,400 - Funds will support the continuation of the meal program for Southington’s food-insecure population totaling over 470 clients, half of which are homeless. Specifically, the grant will assist with the purchase of food, related items for packaging, and expenses for meal delivery to homebound residents and the Calendar House such as gas and vehicle maintenance.
• Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington - $28,500 - Funds will support health, safety and well-being initiatives for Southington’s young children and their caregivers. Each initiative in the program focuses on a different topic and is delivered in-person at events, through the ECCS website, social media channels and via webinars.
• Southington Community Cultural Arts (SoCCA) - $55,500 - Funds will support the continuation of the All Access program for neuro-diverse adults with learning differences. The program teaches creative work skills, provides a source of income for participants through the sale of their art, and increases socialization and self-confidence, thereby enhancing quality of life.
• UCONN Health Foundation - $50,000 - Funds will support the continuation of UConn Health’s Child and Family Development Program which provides an array of mental-health services for children and families in Southington. The center provides parent support groups, behavioral management groups, prevention groups to improve children’s emotional competence, drop-in consultation hours and psychological evaluations for medication.
• Friends of Southington Community Services - $20,000 - Funds will be used for emergency food purchases and other basic needs of Southington residents.
• Southington Manna Fund - $10,000 - Funds will be used for emergency needs and aid to Southington residents in need.

The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust was established over 50 years ago with the express purpose of providing funds for the benefit and betterment of Southington. Since MSCF was appointed trustee of the Trust in 2004, the Foundation has awarded over $15 million to local organizations that work to improve the health and wellbeing of Southington residents.

For more information on the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust, or Main Street Community Foundation, contact us at 860.583.6363 or visit mainstreetfoundation.org.