Women & Girls’ Fund Grant

The Women & Girls’ Fund, established by the Main Street Community Foundation in 2001, supports organizations that empower women and girls in Connecticut. With a focus on senior services, confidence building, and mental health, the fund prioritizes projects that enhance self-sufficiency and promote leadership skills. Collaborations among organizations are encouraged, fostering community connections and addressing critical needs. Grants are available for program and capacity-building initiatives that align with these goals.

NOTE: Applicants must cDirector of Grants & Programs or another member of the grantmaking team for a preliminary screening of their proposal at least 1 week prior to the deadline.
The Women & Girls Fund was founded in 2001 by a group of caring and committed women. Through grantmaking, the Foundation assists women and girls with obtaining the skills and competencies to develop their potential and improve the quality of their lives. Grants will allow organizations to build internal capacity to ensure ongoing support of women and girls in the local communities. Applications will be accepted for program grants and capital requests that are related to a program that meets grant guidelines.
Grantmaking Priorities
Based on input from over 20 participating grantee and community partners, Main Street Community Foundation has identified three priority areas for the Women & Girls Fund. Preference will be given to grant requests that address these needs:
Services for Senior Women: Programs that provide supports to senior women to increase self-sufficiency such as - basic needs, financial literacy resources, and opportunities to decrease social isolation.
Confidence Building and Leadership: Programs that build self-esteem and self-reliance particularly in young girls and teens such as - programs that promote connections with a caring and stable adult, programs that promote financial literacy and life-skills, and programs that develop skills to be a successful leader in school, the community or in a career.
Mental Health and Well-being: Programs that reduce anxiety and stress through non-clinical methods, teach mindfulness skills, and improve overall self-care and well-being for women of all ages.
Collaborations between organizations are encouraged and will be given special consideration.

Eligibility

Grants are made to organizations serving women and girls of any age in the towns of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott.Applicants must be in compliance with all previous grant reporting requirements to be considered in the current grant cycle.