As Main Street Community Foundation enters its 30th year, some time was taken to reflect on the past. The Foundation recently held its Annual Meeting to share and celebrate 2024’s accomplishments with a gathering of founders, board members, and past leadership. As presented at the Annual Meeting, a record $2.7 million was awarded in grants and scholarships in 2024, bringing the total amount awarded since MSCF’s founding 30 years ago to $30.9 million, all benefiting the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott. Additionally, in 2024, the Foundation received $2.7 million in gifts and saw the establishment of 12 new funds created by local individuals, families and organizations to support causes they care about to better their communities.

The Annual Meeting is also a time to hear directly from an organization that has directly benefitted from MSCF’s grants and the generosity of its donors. This year, Mary Etter, Executive Director of the Bristol Adult Resource Center (BARC), spoke to attendees about the organization’s dedication to helping local adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities maximize their independence and the ways MSCF has supported that mission. The Foundation has several funds that directly benefit BARC and has awarded grants throughout the years for a variety of programs, including a 2024 grant that allowed BARC to purchase new equipment for their Yard Services program.

MSCF elected and welcomed three new board members to help lead the Foundation into its next decade: Jonathan Donovan, an attorney from Bristol practicing in Plainville, Jessica Pieri, an attorney in the insurance field from Bristol, and Scott Rosado, a Bristol resident and owner of M.R. Homecare. In addition, Michael Sweeney and Andrea Wasley were reelected to the Board of Directors for a second term. The Foundation’s Board consists of community leaders charged with ensuring donors’ intentions are fulfilled in perpetuity, all of whom take the responsibility very seriously. “For 30 years, local residents have commited their time and valuable expertise to the Foundation as well as their knowledge of the communities where they live and work. To all those past and present we are forever grateful.” said Susan Sadecki, Main Street Community Foundation President and CEO.

MSCF has a lot to look forward to this year as it celebrates its anniversary with “The Main Event 30th Anniversary Celebration – Meet Us on Main Street” on September 13th. The Foundation’s Annual Meeting is a moment to reflect and celebrate the past of the Foundation as well as the future, and next year’s will be all the more impactful.