In 2021, the Manning/Sisson Memorial Fund was established at Main Street Community Foundation as a donor advised fund, allowing for grants to be made at the recommendation of the donors. The fund honors the memory of Mary M. Sisson and her parents, Dennis and Anna May Manning.

The Mannings raised their seven children in Bristol and were involved in each sport their children competed in, especially swimming. For that reason, while grants will be made from this fund to charitable organizations at the recommendation of the donors, there is a preference for programs that foster the sport of swimming through team competition and skill-building at the municipal recreational level for the City of Bristol or the Town of Plainville, and/or to support swim team programs at the collegiate level.

This year, MSCF’s Manning/Sisson Memorial Fund awarded two $1,000 grants: One to the City of Bristol Parks & Recreation for the Bristol Splash Swim Team, and another to the Town of Plainville Recreation Department for the Blue Dolphins Swim Team. The grants were presented to each department by MSCF staff, along with Mary Sisson’s husband and sister Don Sisson and Clare Wight.

The Main Street Community Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for both present and future generations in the communities served by encouraging and promoting gift planning, prudent stewardship of assets, effective grantmaking and community leadership. A nonprofit public charity, created by private citizens, the foundation works with donors in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott who wish to build permanent charitable endowments to support their communities. Since its founding in 1995, the foundation has provided over $23.4 million in grants and scholarships.

For more information, call 860.583.6363 or visit mainstreetfoundation.org.