General Grant

The General Grant Cycle administered by the Main Street Community Foundation supports a competitive grantmaking program dedicated to improving the lives of residents in the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott in Connecticut. Since its founding in 1995, the Foundation has directed numerous funds to serve local needs, with a portion of these being distributed through designated programs or donor-directed efforts. The General Grant Cycle, however, represents an open call for community organizations to seek funding through a competitive application process. This grant cycle prioritizes proposals that fall under the program areas of Basic Needs, Access to Opportunity, and Vibrant Communities. Funding may be used to support future-focused efforts including programs, capital expenditures, and general operating costs. Notably, requests to cover operating deficits or previously incurred expenses are not eligible. All applicants must be current with prior grant reporting obligations to qualify for consideration in the current cycle. A key emphasis of the program is placed on initiatives that demonstrate responsiveness to evolving community needs, generate or leverage additional funding, foster partnerships between nonprofit entities, or aim to strengthen existing programs to improve sustainability. Additionally, several Field of Interest (FOI) funds are incorporated into this grantmaking process, supporting targeted areas such as animal care, sports field maintenance in Bristol and Burlington, community benefit programs in Burlington, and non-competitive activities for elementary and middle school children in Southington that promote self-expression and personal growth. Applicants seeking funding for a second consecutive year for the same program are eligible for an abbreviated application format. However, organizations may not receive funding from the General Grant Cycle for more than two consecutive years. The Distribution Committee, composed of local volunteers, reviews all proposals and makes funding recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, which holds final approval authority. Notifications of awards are expected by mid-June. To begin the process, all prospective applicants must contact either Whitney Shufelt, Director of Grants & Programs, or Alicia Krar, Grants Manager, no later than one week before the application deadline to discuss eligibility and the proposed project. Applications for the current cycle are open and must be submitted by March 27, 2026. Full program guidelines and eligibility criteria can be accessed via the Foundation’s Online Grants Center.

Programs that leverage funding or respond to community needs are prioritized.