Core / General Operating Support: Cycle 1 Grant

The Hutton Parker Foundation is offering Core/General Operating Support in 2025 to eligible nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara County focused on Health & Human Services and Arts & Culture. This funding aims to enhance organizational capacity and sustainability by providing unrestricted funds for essential operations. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) certified and have a strong management structure. Priority is given to programs benefiting underserved populations, particularly low-income children, older adults, and individuals facing disabilities or homelessness.

NOTE: Hutton Parker Foundation will facilitate two Core/General Operating Support grant cycles in calendar 2025. Each cycle will consist of a 5-day Open Application Period followed by an approximately 60-day Review & Evaluation Period.
Cycle1- Designated for Health & Human Services And Arts & Culture Organizations. Note: Any organization awarded funding in 2025 is ineligible to apply for additional funding until 2027.
Strategic Core/General Operating Support
Hutton Parker Foundation offers Core/General Operating Support to address the nonprofit sector’s need for strategic general operating support leading to increased organizational capacity and sustainability.
Core/General Operating Support is defined by Hutton Parker Foundation as unrestricted funding enabling an organization to carry out its mission. Funding awards are intended to underwrite administrative infrastructure, support increased agency capacity, assist with strategic financial and organizational capacity, and/or help maintain core programs and essential staff.
Funds can be used at the discretion of the organization to cover day-to-day activities or ongoing expenses such as administrative salaries, utilities, office supplies, technology maintenance, etc., as well as for program costs, capital, technology purchases, and professional development. Funding and are designed as the working capital necessary to build robust organizations leading to greater impact in the Santa Barbara community. Hutton Parker Foundation considers a Core Support Grant an investment in an operationally strong nonprofit organization.
Primary Focus Areas
Hutton Parker Foundation primarily focuses on making grants to assist organizations that work in the areas of:

• Cycle 1:

Health & Human ServicesMental Health Care ProgramsHealth Care Services (disease research, alcohol & drug related programs)Shelter & Residential Care (elder housing, homeless shelters, housing services, supportive housing)Special Population Support (developmental disability services, homeless services, immigrant services, senior services, women’s services)Arts & CultureMuseums & Historical PreservationsPerforming Arts (Dance, Music, Theater)Performing Arts Education (Dance, Music, Theater)

Eligibility

Organizations must be certified as tax exempt under Section 501(c) 3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.Grant awards are limited to organizations providing services to residents living in Santa Barbara County.In addition to meeting the Foundations’ general eligibility criteria, Core Support requests will be considered for established and well-managed organizations.

Ineligibility

Duplicate applications will not be accepted. Organizations are limited to ONE Core Support application per year.Grants are not made:To organizations discriminating against certain groups or individuals in the delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientations or disability.For propagandizing, influencing legislation and/or elections, promoting voter registration; for political candidates, political campaigns; for litigation.For social or political issues outside the United States of America.To individuals.To federated appeals or for the collection of funds for redistribution to other nonprofit groups.For conferences, workshops, temporary exhibits, travel, surveys, films or publishing activities.For research.Grants are generally not approved for:Organizations in existence less than three (3) years.National organizations without a local chapter operating within Santa Barbara County.Projects or programs normally financed by government sources.Refugee or religious programs or consumer interest.