Men & Boys’ Fund

The Men & Boys’ Fund Grant Cycle is administered by the Main Street Community Foundation, Inc., a community-focused organization that serves the towns of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott in Connecticut. The Foundation, known for its responsiveness to community needs, established the Men & Boys’ Fund in 2016 through the efforts of a group of dedicated local men. The Fund’s central mission is to enable men and boys in the area to improve their quality of life, increase self-sufficiency, and have a lasting positive impact within their communities. The grant program supports nonprofit organizations that offer programs and services aligned with the Fund’s core focus areas: education, health and wellness, leadership development, life skills, and workforce readiness. Funding is directed toward initiatives that promote independence and improve long-term outcomes for males of all ages. Grants are generally awarded for planned, future expenditures, and may cover a proportionate share of program-related salaries and operational expenses. Capital expenditure requests are eligible for consideration if they directly benefit qualifying programs. The Main Street Community Foundation may also structure awards as outright grants, challenge grants, or those requiring matching funds, depending on the circumstances. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and 170(c)(1) public or governmental units. To qualify, either the applicant organization or the specific program must provide services to men and boys residing in the six designated Connecticut towns. Out-of-area organizations may also apply, provided they can demonstrate that they serve residents from the specified geographic area. Organizations must also sign a Statement of Non-Discrimination and be in good standing with respect to any prior grant follow-up reporting requirements. Entities that have received funding in three consecutive years must wait one year before submitting a new application. Certain types of requests are not supported, including those for operating or budget deficits, previously incurred obligations, endowments, research, political or lobbying activities, property repairs or maintenance, memorials, or fundraising events. Additionally, individuals are not eligible to apply. Religiously affiliated organizations may be considered for funding only if the request is for a secular project; religious activities will not be funded. Applications for the 2025 grant cycle open on August 15, 2025, and will be accepted until September 19, 2025. As part of the application process, interested organizations must contact Kate Kerchaert, Director of Grants & Programs, or another team member at 860-583-6363 or kate@mainstreetfoundation.org at least five business days before the deadline to discuss their proposal and confirm eligibility. Each application must include clearly stated outcomes and evaluation criteria. This program operates on an annual basis. Applicants are encouraged to review the full grant guidelines before initiating contact with the Foundation. For more information or to access the full set of guidelines, organizations should refer to the Men & Boys’ Fund grant page or contact the Foundation directly.

Contact foundation staff at least five business days before the deadline to discuss eligibility and project alignment.