Main Street Community Foundation recently awarded a total of $9,250 in grants to improve the lives of the residents of Burlington. These grants benefit a wide array of needs and people in the Burlington community and were awarded from two funds that were established for just that purpose: the Burlington Community Fund and the James R. Parker Trust.

A $1,000 grant was awarded to Boy Scout Troop 55 from the James R. Parker Trust to purchase camping equipment for outdoor education programs. $2,000 was also awarded to the Burlington Historical Society from the Burlington Community Fund and the James R. Parker Trust to provide funds for the restoration of three spinning wheels that will be used for educational programs and demonstrations.

Other grants in this cycle include one to Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center for $1,750 from the Burlington Community Fund to support the Imagine Nation Loves Burlington program, which provides S.T.E.A.M educational workshops and activity kits to youth in the Burlington community. The Lewis S. Mills Football Boosters, Inc. received a $2,000 grant from the James R. Parker Trust for maintenance of equipment used during football practice. Finally, the New Britain Museum of American Art was awarded $2,500 from the Burlington Community Fund to support their Access to the Arts program for Regional School District #10 students attending Har-Bur Middle School.

The Burlington Community Fund was established in 2011, when a group of committed community leaders in Burlington came together to build a permanent resource of funding for their town. The Fund was originally called the Burlington Bell Community Fund, paying homage to a bell in town; the bell, donated to the citizens of Burlington by Bob Merriman, still stands as a symbol for the fund, calling the community to action to help those in need. A volunteer Distribution Committee reviews all grant proposals and makes funding recommendations.

The James R. Parker Trust was established in the late 1970’s through a bequest by Colonel James Parker to help meet the needs of residents in the town of Burlington. The fund was transferred to Main Street Community Foundation in 2002.

Together, these Funds create a way to support the charitable projects and programs that enhance the lives of Burlington residents.