January 15, 2015 - Main Street Community Foundation is currently accepting grant applications from area nonprofit organizations through its competitive General Grant Cycle and the Plainville Community Fund while scholarship applications are being accepted from local students. All guidelines, eligibility criteria and applications are available on the Foundation’s website,www.mainstreetfoundation.org.

Nonprofit organizations serving Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and/or Wolcott may be eligible to apply for grants through the Foundation’s competitive General Grant Cycle. Funding consideration will be given to, but not limited to, proposals requesting support for charitable projects in the areas of education, health, human services, sports field maintenance, animal welfare, environment and arts and culture. Also available for distribution in the General Grant cycle is funding to support preK – 3rd grade education programs focused on improving reading outcomes in Bristol, in partnership with The Stocker Foundation. All proposals for the General Grant Cycle are due March 31, 2015.

In addition, Plainville Community Fund is seeking grant applications from nonprofit organizations that serve Plainville residents in a variety of areas. Proposals for the Plainville Community Fund are due March 16, 2015.

Applications and eligibility criteria for the General Grant Cycle and the Plainville Community Fund are posted on theFoundation’s website, and interested organizations are required to contact Jarre Betts, Vice President of Programs, at 860.583.6363 before submitting a proposal.

The Foundation is also accepting applications for scholarships from local residents who wish to pursue their educational dreams. These scholarship funds target many diverse areas of study and are available to students at various points in their educational careers. The 2015 Scholarship Directory, which lists all scholarships and eligibility criteria, and the link to the Foundation’s online application are available on theFoundation’s website. The deadline for the majority of the scholarships is March 27, 2015.

Included in the 60 scholarships offered this year are three new scholarships. The Because of 26 Kindness Award Scholarship Fund will award a scholarship to a Southington High School student who exhibits kindness. This fund was established in response to the tragedy in Sandy Hook. The Rit Croce Academic and Vocational Scholarship Fund will provide a scholarship to an adult returning to school or a graduating senior pursuing post secondary education who is from the Foundation’s service area. Established in memory of Rit Croce, preference will be given primarily to adult learners pursuing a trade or major in education. The Julie A. Roche Nursing Scholarship Fund will award a scholarship to a nursing student from the Foundation’s service area who is currently enrolled at least part time with one year of classes toward a nursing degree completed. This fund was established in memory of Julie Roche, a Bristol resident and long-time Bristol Hospital nurse.