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.
$909K
$44.7M
$7.8M
$2.7M
Most grants fall between $7K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
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.
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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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF BRISTOL | BRISTOL, CT | $183,840 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR LIBRARY SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BRISTOL FAMILY CENTER | BRISTOL, CT | $73,910 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; PHILANTHROPY & RECREATION & SPORTS |
| BRISTOL COMMUNITY SERVICES | BRISTOL, CT | $51,000 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR EDUCATION |
| BRISTOL HEALTH | BRISTOL, CT | $50,500 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR GENERAL HEALTH |
| SALVATION ARMY BRISTOL CORPS | BRISTOL, CT | $47,500 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| TUNXIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | FARMINGTON, CT | $34,230 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| PRUDENCE CRANDALL CENTER INC | NEW BRITAIN, CT | $33,100 | 2026 | GRANTS TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTERS OF CT INC | BRISTOL, CT | $30,310 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL, RECREATION AND SPORTS, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| THE JOE AND KAY CALVANESE FOUNDATION INC | PLANTSVILLE, CT | $27,728 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR PHILANTHROPY |
| BRISTOL HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | BRISTOL, CT | $21,270 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR GENERAL HEALTH |
| ST VINCENT DEPAUL MISSION OF BRISTOL INC | BRISTOL, CT | $21,060 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR HOUSING AND SHELTER |
| WEST CEMETERY ASSOCIATION | BRISTOL, CT | $18,750 | 2026 | QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTION FOR THE CARE AND UPKEEP OF THE CHAPEL |
| SHEPARD MEADOWS THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC | BRISTOL, CT | $18,250 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ANIMAL-RELATED, AND MENTAL HEALTH |
| WHEELER CLINIC | PLAINVILLE, CT | $16,760 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES, PHILANTHROPY, MENTAL AND GENERAL HEALTH |
| BRISTOL ADULT RESOURCE CENTER INC | BRISTOL, CT | $15,670 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICE |
| SOUTHINGTON-CHESHIRE COMMUNITY YMCAS | SOUTHINGTON, CT | $15,460 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR GENERAL HEALTH |
| THE CAROUSEL MUSEUM | BRISTOL, CT | $14,650 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE |
| UNITED WAY OF WEST CENTRAL CT | BRISTOL, CT | $14,590 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| GREATER BRISTOL HISTORICAL SOCIETY | BRISTOL, CT | $14,540 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR ARTS & CULTURE & HISTORICAL SOCIETIES |
| BREAD FOR LIFE INC | SOUTHINGTON, CT | $13,650 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR FOOD, NUTRITION, AND PHILANTHROPY |
| AMERICAN CLOCK & WATCH MUSEUM | BRISTOL, CT | $12,060 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR ARTS & CULTURE & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| SOUTHINGTON COMMUNITY CULTURAL ARTS INC | SOUTHINGTON, CT | $12,060 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ARTS AND CULTURE |
| CENTRAL CONNECTICUT ONLINE JOURNALISM PROJECT INC | BRISTOL, CT | $12,025 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| CONNECTICUT PUBLIC BROADCASTING INC | HARTFORD, CT | $11,500 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR ARTS & CULTURE |
| BRISTOL WORKS INC | BRISTOL, CT | $11,400 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR PHILANTHROPY & EDUCATION |
| PARC INC | PLAINVILLE, CT | $10,500 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| SOUTHINGTON COMMUNITY SERVICES | PLANTSVILLE, CT | $10,200 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION |
| VETERANS STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER | BRISTOL, CT | $10,100 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH | NEWINGTON, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR RELIGION |
| YWCA OF NEW BRITAIN | NEW BRITAIN, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | SEXUAL ASSAULT CRISIS SERVICES |
| BRISTOL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS | BRISTOL, CT | $9,360 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION |
| PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY | TERRYVILLE, CT | $9,000 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION, HUMAN SERVIES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| IMAGINE NATION A MUSEUM EARLY LEARNING CENTER | BRISTOL, CT | $8,075 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR EDUCATION, PHILANTHROPHY AND ARTS AND CULTURE |
| OPPORTUNITY HOUSE INC | HAMDEN, CT | $7,330 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICE |
| TOWN OF PLAINVILLE | PLAINVILLE, CT | $6,710 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR HOUSING-SHELTER AND ANIMAL RELATED |
| NUTMEG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | BRISTOL, CT | $6,635 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE, PHILANTHROPY, AND EDUCATION |
| THE BUSHNELL | HARTFORD, CT | $6,500 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE |
| JANE DOE NO MORE | NAUGATUCK, CT | $6,016 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES |
| THE TAVERN DAY GROUP | BURLINGTON, CT | $6,000 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES-ACTIVITIES |
| RENBROOK SCHOOL | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $6,000 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR EDUCATION |
| BRISTOL CT LITTLE LEAGUE INC | BRISTOL, CT | $5,750 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR PHILANTHROPY & RECREATION & SPORTS |
| GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH | BRISTOL, CT | $5,100 | 2026 | GRANTS FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION |
| 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 |
CITY OF BRISTOL
$183,840GRANTS FOR LIBRARY SERVICES AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BRISTOL FAMILY CENTER
$73,910GENERAL SUPPORT; GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; PHILANTHROPY & RECREATION & SPORTS
BRISTOL COMMUNITY SERVICES
$51,000GRANTS FOR EDUCATION
BRISTOL HEALTH
$50,500GRANTS FOR GENERAL HEALTH
SALVATION ARMY BRISTOL CORPS
$47,500GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE AND HUMAN SERVICES
TUNXIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC
$34,230GRANTS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
GRANTS TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTERS OF CT INC
$30,310GRANTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL, RECREATION AND SPORTS, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
THE JOE AND KAY CALVANESE FOUNDATION INC
$27,728GRANTS FOR PHILANTHROPY
BRISTOL HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
$21,270GRANTS FOR GENERAL HEALTH
ST VINCENT DEPAUL MISSION OF BRISTOL INC
$21,060GRANTS FOR HOUSING AND SHELTER
WEST CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
$18,750QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTION FOR THE CARE AND UPKEEP OF THE CHAPEL
SHEPARD MEADOWS THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER INC
$18,250GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ANIMAL-RELATED, AND MENTAL HEALTH
WHEELER CLINIC
$16,760GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES, PHILANTHROPY, MENTAL AND GENERAL HEALTH
BRISTOL ADULT RESOURCE CENTER INC
$15,670GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICE
SOUTHINGTON-CHESHIRE COMMUNITY YMCAS
$15,460GRANTS FOR GENERAL HEALTH
THE CAROUSEL MUSEUM
$14,650GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE
UNITED WAY OF WEST CENTRAL CT
$14,590GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
GREATER BRISTOL HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$14,540GRANTS FOR ARTS & CULTURE & HISTORICAL SOCIETIES
BREAD FOR LIFE INC
$13,650GRANTS FOR FOOD, NUTRITION, AND PHILANTHROPY
AMERICAN CLOCK & WATCH MUSEUM
$12,060GRANTS FOR ARTS & CULTURE & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SOUTHINGTON COMMUNITY CULTURAL ARTS INC
$12,060GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ARTS AND CULTURE
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT ONLINE JOURNALISM PROJECT INC
$12,025GRANTS FOR EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
BRISTOL WORKS INC
$11,400GRANTS FOR PHILANTHROPY & EDUCATION
PARC INC
$10,500GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SOUTHINGTON COMMUNITY SERVICES
$10,200GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION
VETERANS STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER
$10,100GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH
$10,000GRANTS FOR RELIGION
BRISTOL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS
$9,360GRANTS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION
PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
$9,000GRANTS FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION, HUMAN SERVIES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
IMAGINE NATION A MUSEUM EARLY LEARNING CENTER
$8,075GRANTS FOR EDUCATION, PHILANTHROPHY AND ARTS AND CULTURE
OPPORTUNITY HOUSE INC
$7,330GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICE
TOWN OF PLAINVILLE
$6,710GRANTS FOR HOUSING-SHELTER AND ANIMAL RELATED
NUTMEG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$6,635GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE, PHILANTHROPY, AND EDUCATION
THE BUSHNELL
$6,500GRANTS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE
JANE DOE NO MORE
$6,016GRANTS FOR HUMAN SERVICES
THE TAVERN DAY GROUP
$6,000GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES-ACTIVITIES
RENBROOK SCHOOL
$6,000GRANTS FOR EDUCATION
BRISTOL CT LITTLE LEAGUE INC
$5,750GRANTS FOR PHILANTHROPY & RECREATION & SPORTS
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
$5,100GRANTS FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION
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