(July 15, 2014) - The Women & Girls’ Fund of Main Street Community Foundation is currently accepting grant applications from local nonprofit organizations through its annual competitive grant cycle. The application, which includes the grantmaking guidelines and criteria, is available on Main Street Community Foundation’s website, under the "Grants" section.

Nonprofit organizations with programs serving women and girls in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and/or Wolcott may be eligible to apply for a grant from the Women & Girls’ Fund. All proposals are due by 4 p.m. on September 30, 2014.

Interested organizations are required to contact Jarre Betts, Director of Programs & Community Relations at the Foundation, at 860.583.6363 before submitting a proposal.

The Women & Girls’ Fund has a demonstrated track record of funding programs that help women and girls realize their potential and improve the quality of their lives.  A total of $30,760 was distributed in 2013 to 12 organizations and programs. The 2013 recipients include Central Connecticut Senior Health Services to support the Good Life Fitness for Women program, Wheeler Clinic for the Giving Girls Power through Gender-Based Education initiative and the Bristol Early Childhood Alliance to support the Maternal Depression Screening Initiative. For a full list of 2013 Women & Girls’ Fund grantees, click here.

The Women & Girls’ Fund was created in 2001 as a community-based endowment of the Main Street Community Foundation. The Women & Girls’ Fund supports opportunities to improve the conditions for women of all ages in the towns of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott. Over the past 13 years, the Women & Girls’ Fund has awarded over $255,000 in grants and immediate response funds to over 80 organizations benefiting women and girls in the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott. For more information, visit www.mainstreetfoundation.org.