Local nonprofits benefiting Southington residents awarded $539,095 in grants
By Brian Johnson; The Bristol Press; May 29, 2026
SOUTHINGTON — The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust at the Main Street Community Foundation has awarded more than $539,000 to local nonprofits.
“A total of $539,095 was recently awarded to seven nonprofit organizations working to improve the health and wellbeing of Southington residents,” said Samantha Rajotte, scholarship and program officer with the Main Street Community Foundation.
The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust was established in 1973 with the express purpose of “providing funds for organizations that work to improve the health and wellbeing of Southington residents.”
“Since MSCF was appointed trustee of The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust in 2004, the Trust has awarded a total of $15.6 million, all to the benefit of Southington residents’ health and wellbeing,” Rajotte said.
Here are the organizations awarded grants in this cycle:
Arc of Southington — $40,945 to purchase and install emergency generators at three group homes in Southington in order to allow residents, many with medical fragility, to stay in their homes in case of an electrical outage.
The LEAF (Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm) — $60,000 to provide operating support for agricultural education programs in collaboration with the Southington’s public schools and the greater community. Programming includes planting and harvesting school gardens, farm to school lunch program, summer farm camp, adult classes on healthy food preparation, delivery of fresh produce to Bread for Life and Southington Community Services food pantry.
LiveWell — $100,000 to support the second year of the Dementia Positive Southington initiative, the goal of which is to pioneer a Dementia Positive community in Southington that promotes positive attitudes towards people living with dementia and advocates for brain health as a public health priority.
Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. — $95,000 to support domestic violence intervention and prevention services for Southington residents including: community education and prevention, outreach activities, community counseling services, supportive housing placement, court advocacy and the 24/7 crisis shelter and hotline.
Senior Transportation Services — $112,000 to provide Southington residents aged 50+ or disabled, one-on-one, curb-to-curb, reliable transportation. The service provides free rides to medical appointments, pharmacy, personal care appointments, bank or to visit a loved one in a care facility.
Southington Education Foundation — $35,650 to support the Asset-Building Classroom curriculum writing and implementation for 6-12 graders in Southington Public Schools and to support student enrichment activities related to the ABC curriculum.
Wheeler Health — $95,500 to support the Southington Community Health Outreach Project, which enhances access to behavioral health and substance use resources and services for residents of Southington through a full-time project coordinator based in the community.