This fund was established in 2014 and honors Louise (Humphrey) Van Gorder. Louise and her husband Bob have enriched the lives of thousands of students and music lovers through their Bristol String Orchestra and business, Fiddlin’ Around located in Bristol. A scholarship will be awarded annually to a music student currently in 9th through 12th grade to attend a one-week camp experience at Laurel Music Camp.
FUNDS
This fund will honor the memory of Louise Lauretano DeMars who passed away January 9, 2023. Louise’s contributions to the museum industry as well as the arts and culture community were many. Most notably in the greater Bristol community, her 28-year tenure as the Executive Director of the New England Carousel Museum established the museum as a national tourist destination. Louise was a valued member of many organizations and associations over the course of her career. This fund will continue her joy and passion for art while inspiring future artists.
This fund was established in early 2023 by the Bristol Board of Education in collaboration with the Bristol Police Department following the tragic events of October 12, 2022 when both Lieutenant Dustin DeMonte and Sergeant Alex Hamzy were killed in the line of duty. Dustin and Alex are forever honored and remembered for their selfless service and commitment to the Bristol community.
Established in 2018, this fund supports non-sport, noncompetitive programs and activities for children attending elementary and middle schools in Southington. Programs and activities supported through grants will involve direct and active participation by the children, and programs and activities will promote and encourage self-expression and personal accomplishment.
Started in 2006 with a donation from the Yarde Metals NapCar Event, this fund will provide immediate response grants to address the needs of children under the age of 18, with an emphasis on basic needs or special opportunities. The Yarde Metals Company wishes to encourage other citizens to contribute to the fund for the general well-being of area youth.
This fund was established in 2000 with a $10,000 gift from an anonymous donor to support the operations and activities of Main Street Community Foundation. Many donors, including Board members, Founders and staff, have since contributed to the fund.
The Main Street Community Foundation Memorial Fund accepts memorial donations not otherwise included in or eligible to be a separate named fund. This fund provides a permanent source of funding for charitable projects and programs which will enhance the quality of life for citizens of the service area of the Foundation.
Set up by the Main Street Community Foundation Board of Directors in 1997 as a combined scholarship fund to accept gifts from donors interested in pooling their money for scholarship purposes. The first gift to this fund came from the estate of Lucrezia Lena.
This fund was established in 2009 to provide grants for special and creative initiatives that cannot be funded on a meaningful scale through the regular school budget. This permanently endowed fund will be built by gifts and donations of many individuals, families, businesses and the community-at-large to create a new resource for enhancing the education of students who attend schools in Burlington and Harwinton.
A bequest received in 2005 from the estate of Harold L. Malerbo provides the opportunity to award funds to nonprofit youth sports organizations in Bristol and Burlington for field improvements or field maintenance equipment.
Established in 2005 through a bequest from the estate of Harold L. Malerbo, this fund provides scholarships for Bristol students attending St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol.
Established in 2015 in memory of Sandra Caggiano, a former Bristol school teacher, who passed away on April 20, 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer. This fund will provide an annual grant to the Family Resource Center at South Side School located in Bristol, CT to support children and families serviced in the program.
The fund was established by the Manning/Sisson families to honor the memory of Mary M. Sisson along with her parents, Dennis and Anna May Manning. Grants will be made to charitable organizations for general charitable purposes at the recommendation of the donors, with preference for programs that foster the sport of swimming through team competition and skill-building at the municipal recreational level for the City of Bristol or the Town of Plainville, and/or support of swim team programs at the collegiate level.
Originally established with bequests from the estates of Colonel Frederick Manross, Robert Manross and Arthur Manross, these funds were transferred to the Foundation by the City of Bristol Library Board in 2014 to administer in perpetuity. Annual distributions will support operating, capital expenditures and the purchase of children’s and nature books at the F.N. Manross Memorial Library in Forestville as a supplement to the annual appropriations from the City of Bristol.
In memory of Margaret Haberman, this fund was established in 2010 to support programs and organizations for the promotion and appreciation of music in the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott.
This donor advised fund was established in 2024 after Mary Teresa Daley Hobson’s death by her children as loving tribute to their mother Mary, father Walter, family, and the IDA FEMS. Mary was a Southington para-professional, lifelong educator, and humble leader. She was a role model and mentor to many in all aspects of her life. She lived love. She had a knack for making and maintaining connections throughout her life.
This fund was established in 2018 by Paul Maskery to honor his family and give back to the students of Farmington and Plainville. Paul, who grew up in Plainville, was a long time teacher, coach and Athletic Director at Farmington High School. This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school senior of either Farmington High School or Plainville High school who is pursuing post secondary education at a technical/vocational school, two-year or four-year college or university.
This fund was established in late 2006 with a charitable rollover gift from Ruth Rabin and children Shaye and Paul in recognition of Max Rabin’s contributions to the Bristol Business Community. The fund will provide tuition assistance for Bristol students majoring in business administration.
This fund was transferred to the Community Foundation in 1999. It was established by the late Blanche McMaster to honor her and her mother's, Ella Moulthrop, love of children. The fund provides assistance for graduates of Bristol Central High School who are pursuing post-secondary education.
This fund was established in 2016 by a group of committed community leaders to make it possible for men and boys to improve the quality of their lives and make a positive difference in their communities. This Fund will encourage and provide support for programs, projects and organizations that serve men and boys in various areas, such as self-confidence, coping skills, conflict resolution, education and mentoring.
For more information on the Men & Boys' Fund, visit their webpage.
