This year, Main Street Community Foundation has reached the major milestone of being in operation for 30 years. Established in 1995, MSCF has become one of the leading grant makers in the Central Connecticut region and has awarded a total of $32.7 million in grants and scholarships to support the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott.

In celebration of this milestone, the Foundation is hosting The Main Event 30th Anniversary Celebration – Meet Us On Main Street at the Aqua Turf Club on September 13, 2025. The evening will have an elevated hometown celebration atmosphere with fabulous food, roaming entertainment, live and silent auctions as well as a wonderful opportunity for all to join in a memorable celebration. Proceeds from the event will support MSCF’s community leadership efforts, also known as “Money in Motion,” an unrestricted fund that is used to address the ever-changing needs of the local community. Seats are $125 per person and can be purchased through the end of August by contacting Main Street Community Foundation.

The idea of an event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Main Street Community Foundation would not have even crossed the minds of the small group of community leaders who began discussing the creation of a community foundation back in the early 1970s. It began with Bob Merriman, Sherwood Anderson, and Ed Lorenson considering the idea that in addition to giving to specific charities, local residents should have the opportunity to give to a community foundation where all needs of the community would be considered. The first formal conversation occurred with these three individuals, as well as Hap Barnes, C. Stewart Anthony, and Terry Fletcher, in 1974 where they decided to start such an organization when there was both enough money and community interest. In 1993, after many years of careful planning and a bank merger, $500,000 was set aside to be used to start a community foundation. From that point a core group of Bristol area citizens - Edward Lorenson, Bob Merriman, Hap Barnes, David Preleski, John Smith, Terry Fletcher, Chris Ziogas, and Sherwood Anderson - met monthly for two years in order to ensure the establishment of a community foundation would succeed. In the spring of 1995, MSCF was incorporated, by the fall, I. R. S. approval was secured, and the first grants totaling $70,600 were awarded in 1996.

“MSCF is deeply proud of this history and grateful for the foresight of its Founders. The Founders’ vision was to create a place that serves as a single point of entry for anyone’s charitable goals, and every day we are able to show our community that philanthropy can be for everyone,” said Susan Sadecki, President & CEO of Main Street Community Foundation. "Community foundations are all about convening and helping to develop collaborative solutions. That's what we strive to be part of all while honoring the charitable intentions of our donors."

The Main Event will honor the history of the Foundation, celebrate its accomplishments, and recognize MSCF’s Founders and donors. The event will culminate in the announcement of ten Circa 1995 Grants, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000; all attendees will participate in the selection of the recipients by casting a vote that evening. A total of $30,000 will be awarded from the Bristol Savings Bank Fund to celebrate the Foundation’s 30th anniversary. Ten local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations were selected from an applicant pool and challenged with providing a vision for how their organization will make a difference in the next 30 years. You can view the finalists and read their responses on the MSCF website: www.mainstreetfoundation.org/circa1995grants.
To learn more about the event, Main Street Community Foundation, and the ways in which they support your local community, visit mainstreetfoundation.org/30-anniversary.