November 12, 2015 - This year is Main Street Community Foundation’s 20th anniversary. In September at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington,Main Street Community Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary at The Main Event - Celebrating Our Community Roots. The farm-to-table gathering reflected on the Foundation's 20 years as a funder, community leader, convener and advocate for local philanthropy.

We are happy to report that the net proceeds from the event totaled just over $100,000, which will support the Money in Motion Fund at the Foundation to further advance the Foundation's community leadership efforts. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported The Main Event.

Since 2013, $43,010 in grants from the Money in Motion Fund has supported your community. Developing solutions to family homelessness impacts those living in the situation and affects the entire community. Creating programs to train skilled workers and decrease local unemployment is fundamental to our communities’ economic health. Raising awareness for 21st century careers through support of STEM training workshops for guidance counselors and teachers creates more pathways for students. Improving reading opportunities for our youngest citizens is a gateway to lifelong learning. These are just a few of the initiatives that we are working to improve on every day through many partnerships.

At a time when government capacity to solve our most pressing problems is limited, community foundations offer real solutions. Community foundations are on the front lines of change, working to leverage relationships and resources to achieve real results. Main Street Community Foundation is one of more than 750 community foundations in the United States working in collaboration with community, state, and national partners to tackle some of society’s toughest challenges – in education, healthcare, job training, poverty, natural disasters, and more. Community foundations are essential resources in creating strong, resilient communities.

Through the generosity of many donors, our organization has granted over $11 million since its founding in 1995 to support local nonprofit organizations and to provide scholarships for students and grants for causes to advance the public good. Main Street Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life for present and future generations in the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott. The Foundation identifies community challenges and, through leadership and financial commitment, convenes community members, monitors and assesses changing needs - locally and beyond - and proposes action on critical concerns. In this way, the Foundation is able to develop collaborative solutions to meet emerging needs and provide support to what matters most to you.

Over the past 20 years, you have helped us lead the charge to mobilize the commitment and creativity in these communities to find efficient and innovative ways to improve the lives of your neighbors in need. November 12-18, 2015 marks the nationally recognized Community Foundation Week. Help us raise awareness about our increasingly important role by telling your neighbors about the work we do.