Inspiring donors and community partners to foster a sustainable legacy of impactful giving by encouraging and promoting gift planning, prudent stewardship of assets, effective grantmaking and community leadership.
Main Street Community Foundation Inc. shows a clear pattern of supporting the civic infrastructure of Bristol through large grants for library services, youth development, and community programs. Recent awards include $221,885 to the City of Bristol for library support and $171,870 to the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol Family Center for general support, youth development, and capital campaign support. Those grants sit alongside steady backing for United Way of West Central Ct, Bristol Hospital, and other local institutions that provide basic needs, education, and public services. The foundation’s grantmaking reaches beyond one-off project aid. It has funded operating support, capital-related work, and annual distributions across a six-town service area centered on Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott. Its active programs also show a structured approach to community philanthropy: general grant cycles, scholarship funds, men and boys initiatives, women and girls initiatives, artist stipends, and immediate response assistance. That mix points to a funder that combines flexible community grantmaking with named funds for specific populations and purposes. Scholarship support is another defining feature. The foundation administers more than 110 scholarships, serving graduating seniors, college students, adult learners, and students pursuing technical, vocational, and certificate programs. It also supports individual artists through the Louise Lauretano DeMars Love of Art Fund and funds emergency assistance through designated immediate response funds.
Education is a recurring theme. The foundation awarded $50,000 to Southington Public Library for library expansion, and it also supports scholarship pathways for elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students through multiple named programs. The scholarship portfolio includes support for graduating high school seniors, current college students, adult learners, and students in technical and vocational programs. Health and human services appear in both large and smaller grants. The Salvation Army in Hartford received $72,724 for general support and soup kitchen operations, while Bristol Hospital Development Foundation received $25,850 for general support and general health and wellness. United Way of West Central Ct also received support for educational, human services, and community development work. The foundation also funds arts, recreation, and the environment. The New England Carousel Museum received $29,920 for architectural fees tied to an expansion project, and Environmental Learning Centers of Ct Inc received $44,760 for equipment and $31,765 for environmental, recreation and sports, and youth development.
Current and upcoming funding from Main Street Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations serving women and girls within the Foundation's service area.
Deadline: Cycle currently closed; site indicates cycle opens August 2026. No specific date provided in scraped content.
$998K
$37.5M
$5.7M
$2.7M
Most grants fall between $7K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 97% of grants go to recipients in CT.
SUSAN SADECKI
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Typical grants cluster around modest local awards: the 25th percentile is $7,075, the median is $10,290, and the 75th percentile is $25,000. That distribution sits below the foundation’s largest reported awards, which suggests a layered approach that includes many smaller grants and a smaller number of larger commitments. The recent-grants list also shows recurring recipients across multiple years, including the City of Bristol, Boys & Girls Club of Bristol Family Center, United Way of West Central Ct, Bristol Hospital, and Tunxis Community College Foundation Inc. The foundation appears to operate as a community foundation with named funds and a general grant cycle. Several programs accept unsolicited requests, including the main grant cycle, scholarships, and the Men & Boys' Fund. Immediate Response Funds are different: requests are initiated by a social service organization, other nonprofit, or school working with the individual or family.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Connecticut-centered. Ninety-seven percent of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state, and every grant in the provided recipient-country data is in the US. Bristol dominates the recent list, with repeated awards to the City of Bristol, Boys & Girls Club of Bristol Family Center, Bristol Hospital, Bristol Parks and Recreation, and local museums and service organizations. Outside Bristol, the foundation’s local reach extends to Southington and Farmington, and Hartford appears among larger human services grants. The service-area programs also point to Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Wolcott, and Southington as recurring local geographies.
The foundation funds Basic Needs, Access to Opportunity, Vibrant Communities, Scholarships, Arts & Culture, Health and Healthcare, Workforce Development, and Environmental Protection and Sustainability. Its active programs also include Men & Boys' Fund, Women & Girls Fund Grants, scholarship funds, and Immediate Response Funds.
Typical grant sizes are $7,075 at the 25th percentile, $10,290 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes larger awards for library support, youth programming, and capital-related work.
Yes for several programs, including the Main Street Community Foundation — General Grant Cycle, the Main Street Community Foundation Grants Program, scholarship programs, the Men & Boys' Fund, Women & Girls Fund Grants, the Louise Lauretano DeMars Love of Art Fund, Burlington Community Fund Grants, and the Louise (Humphrey) Van Gorder Music Camp Scholarship. Immediate Response Funds are initiated by a social service organization, other nonprofit, or school.
Its giving is local, with 97% of grants going to recipients in Connecticut. The service-area programs center on Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott, and recent grants also reached Hartford and Farmington.
The recent grants show repeated support to several organizations across multiple years, including the City of Bristol, Boys & Girls Club of Bristol Family Center, United Way of West Central Ct, Bristol Hospital, and Tunxis Community College Foundation Inc. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships alongside project-specific awards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Who can apply: Programs and organizations that benefit men and boys in the Foundation’s service area.
Deadline: Cycle Closed; page notes cycle opens August 2026.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BRISTOL FAMILY CENTER | BRISTOL, CT | $171,870 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| CITY OF BRISTOL | BRISTOL, CT | $119,860 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR LIBRARY SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| UNITED WAY OF WEST CENTRAL CT | BRISTOL, CT | $97,990 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR EDUCATIONAL, HUMAN SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | HARTFORD, CT | $72,724 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT AND SUPPORT OF SOUP KITCHEN |
| ST ANDREW EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH | BRISTOL, CT | $57,988 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY | SOUTHINGTON, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | COMMITMENT FOR LIBRARY EXPANSION, PAYABLE |
| CITY OF BRISTOL PARKS RECREATION YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES | BRISTOL, CT | $34,010 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION |
| TUNXIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | FARMINGTON, CT | $33,790 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTERS OF CT INC | BRISTOL, CT | $31,765 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL, RECREATION AND SPORTS, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| BRISTOL HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | BRISTOL, CT | $25,850 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR GENERAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS |
| GRAND'ANSE HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION | BRICK, NJ | $19,999 | 2025 | MEDICAL AND HUMANITARIAN CARE FOR RESIDENTS OF HAITI |
| WEST CEMETERY ASSOCIATION | BRISTOL, CT | $18,500 | 2025 | QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTION FOR THE CARE AND UPKEEP OF THE CHAPEL |
| THE CAROUSEL MUSEUM | BRISTOL, CT | $18,440 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE |
| BRISTOL ADULT RESOURCE CENTER INC | BRISTOL, CT | $16,700 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICE |
| AMERICAN CLOCK & WATCH MUSEUM | BRISTOL, CT | $14,780 | 2025 | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR ARTS & CULTURE |
| BRISTOL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS | BRISTOL, CT | $14,530 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION |
| PRUDENCE CRANDALL CENTER INC | NEW BRITAIN, CT | $14,420 | 2025 | GRANTS TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| BREAD FOR LIFE INC | SOUTHINGTON, CT | $14,188 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR FOOD, NUTRITION, AND TECHNOLOGY |
| SOUTHINGTON COMMUNITY SERVICES | PLANTSVILLE, CT | $11,040 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATIONAL |
| WHEELER CLINIC | PLAINVILLE, CT | $10,180 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR MENTAL AND GENERAL HEALTH |
| YWCA OF NEW BRITAIN | NEW BRITAIN, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | SEXUAL ASSAULT CRISIS SERVICES |
| NEW ENGLAND AIR MUSEUM | WINDSOR LOCKS, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH | BRISTOL, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | CHURCH STEEPLE RENOVATION |
| ST VINCENT DEPAUL MISSION OF BRISTOL INC | BRISTOL, CT | $9,565 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR FOOD AND SHELTER |
| IMAGINE NATION A MUSEUM EARLY LEARNING CENTER | BRISTOL, CT | $8,205 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR EDUCATION AND ARTS AND CULTURE |
| THE AGAPE HOUSE | BRISTOL, CT | $8,000 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES |
| SHEPARD MEADOWS THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC | BRISTOL, CT | $7,625 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH |
| BRISTOL COMMUNITY SERVICES | BRISTOL, CT | $7,575 | 2025 | ANNUAL GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES |
| HILL-STEAD MUSEUM | FARMINGTON, CT | $7,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CONNECTICUT & WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS | NEW HAVEN, CT | $7,500 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICE |
| OPPORTUNITY HOUSE INC | HAMDEN, CT | $7,180 | 2025 | ANNUAL GRANT FOR UNANTICIPATED OPERATING EXPENSES AS APPROVED BY BOARD |
| BURLINGTON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION INC | BURLINGTON, CT | $6,960 | 2025 | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR LIBRARIES AND EDUCATION |
| SOUTHINGTON-CHESHIRE COMMUNITY YMCAS | SOUTHINGTON, CT | $6,900 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR HEALTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| VETERANS STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER | BRISTOL, CT | $6,745 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES |
| NUTMEG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | BRISTOL, CT | $6,400 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE |
| BRISTOL WORKS INC | BRISTOL, CT | $6,400 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR WORKFORCE TRAINING |
| PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY | TERRYVILLE, CT | $6,035 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR NUTRITION AND GENERAL HEALTH |
| THE BUSHNELL | HARTFORD, CT | $6,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND AND GALA SUPPORT |
| BURLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INC | BURLINGTON, CT | $5,378 | 2025 | QUICK ATTACK NOZZLES FOR FRONTLINE APPARATUS |
| KELLY'S KIDS INC | PROSPECT, CT | $5,200 | 2025 | GRANTS FOR EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| CITY OF BRISTOL | BRISTOL, CT | $221,885 | 2024 | LIBRARY SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF WEST CENTRAL CT | BRISTOL, CT | $96,465 | 2024 | WALSH SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM FOR YOUTH/ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION |
| BRISTOL HOSPITAL | BRISTOL, CT | $56,500 | 2024 | ANNUAL PAYMENT FOR UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTERS OF CT INC | BRISTOL, CT | $44,760 | 2024 | EQUIPMENT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BRISTOL FAMILY CENTER | BRISTOL, CT | $43,580 | 2024 | ANNUAL GRANT/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| TUNXIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | FARMINGTON, CT | $33,560 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE SUPPORT |
| BRISTOL PARKS AND RECREATION | BRISTOL, CT | $30,470 | 2024 | SUPPORT BRISTOL SPLASH SWIM TEAM/ANNUAL GRANT FOR CARE, MAINTENANCE, IMPROVEMENT, ACQUISITIONS, AND EXTENSION OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS IN BRISTOL |
| NEW ENGLAND CAROUSEL MUSEUM | BRISTOL, CT | $29,920 | 2024 | ARCHITECTURAL FEES FOR EXPANSION PROJECT/ANNUAL FUND |
| AMERICAN CLOCK & WATCH MUSEUM | BRISTOL, CT | $25,450 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MUSEUM AND ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL PURPOSES |
| SALVATION ARMY | HARTFORD, CT | $25,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BRISTOL FAMILY CENTER
$171,870GENERAL SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT
CITY OF BRISTOL
$119,860GRANTS FOR LIBRARY SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
UNITED WAY OF WEST CENTRAL CT
$97,990GRANTS FOR EDUCATIONAL, HUMAN SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
THE SALVATION ARMY
$72,724GRANTS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT AND SUPPORT OF SOUP KITCHEN
ST ANDREW EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$57,988GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOUTHINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
$50,000COMMITMENT FOR LIBRARY EXPANSION, PAYABLE
CITY OF BRISTOL PARKS RECREATION YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
$34,010GRANTS FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION
TUNXIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC
$33,790GRANTS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTERS OF CT INC
$31,765GRANTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL, RECREATION AND SPORTS, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
BRISTOL HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
$25,850GENERAL SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR GENERAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
GRAND'ANSE HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
$19,999MEDICAL AND HUMANITARIAN CARE FOR RESIDENTS OF HAITI
WEST CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
$18,500QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTION FOR THE CARE AND UPKEEP OF THE CHAPEL
THE CAROUSEL MUSEUM
$18,440GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE
BRISTOL ADULT RESOURCE CENTER INC
$16,700GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICE
AMERICAN CLOCK & WATCH MUSEUM
$14,780ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR ARTS & CULTURE
BRISTOL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS
$14,530GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION
PRUDENCE CRANDALL CENTER INC
$14,420GRANTS TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
BREAD FOR LIFE INC
$14,188GRANTS FOR FOOD, NUTRITION, AND TECHNOLOGY
SOUTHINGTON COMMUNITY SERVICES
$11,040GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATIONAL
WHEELER CLINIC
$10,180GRANTS FOR MENTAL AND GENERAL HEALTH
YWCA OF NEW BRITAIN
$10,000SEXUAL ASSAULT CRISIS SERVICES
NEW ENGLAND AIR MUSEUM
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$10,000CHURCH STEEPLE RENOVATION
ST VINCENT DEPAUL MISSION OF BRISTOL INC
$9,565GRANTS FOR FOOD AND SHELTER
IMAGINE NATION A MUSEUM EARLY LEARNING CENTER
$8,205GRANTS FOR EDUCATION AND ARTS AND CULTURE
THE AGAPE HOUSE
$8,000GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES
SHEPARD MEADOWS THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
$7,625GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH
BRISTOL COMMUNITY SERVICES
$7,575ANNUAL GRANT FOR PROGRAM SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES
HILL-STEAD MUSEUM
$7,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CONNECTICUT & WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
$7,500GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICE
OPPORTUNITY HOUSE INC
$7,180ANNUAL GRANT FOR UNANTICIPATED OPERATING EXPENSES AS APPROVED BY BOARD
BURLINGTON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION INC
$6,960ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR LIBRARIES AND EDUCATION
SOUTHINGTON-CHESHIRE COMMUNITY YMCAS
$6,900GRANTS FOR HEALTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
VETERANS STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER
$6,745GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES
NUTMEG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$6,400GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE
BRISTOL WORKS INC
$6,400GRANTS FOR WORKFORCE TRAINING
PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
$6,035GRANTS FOR NUTRITION AND GENERAL HEALTH
THE BUSHNELL
$6,000ANNUAL FUND AND GALA SUPPORT
BURLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INC
$5,378QUICK ATTACK NOZZLES FOR FRONTLINE APPARATUS
KELLY'S KIDS INC
$5,200GRANTS FOR EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
CITY OF BRISTOL
$221,885LIBRARY SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF WEST CENTRAL CT
$96,465WALSH SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM FOR YOUTH/ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION
BRISTOL HOSPITAL
$56,500ANNUAL PAYMENT FOR UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT
ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTERS OF CT INC
$44,760EQUIPMENT
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BRISTOL FAMILY CENTER
$43,580ANNUAL GRANT/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
TUNXIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC
$33,560GENERAL PURPOSE SUPPORT
BRISTOL PARKS AND RECREATION
$30,470SUPPORT BRISTOL SPLASH SWIM TEAM/ANNUAL GRANT FOR CARE, MAINTENANCE, IMPROVEMENT, ACQUISITIONS, AND EXTENSION OF PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS IN BRISTOL
NEW ENGLAND CAROUSEL MUSEUM
$29,920ARCHITECTURAL FEES FOR EXPANSION PROJECT/ANNUAL FUND
AMERICAN CLOCK & WATCH MUSEUM
$25,450SUPPORT FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MUSEUM AND ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL PURPOSES
SALVATION ARMY
$25,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT