Core Operating Support

Hutton Parker Foundation offers Core Operating Support to address the nonprofit sector’s need for strategic core operating support leading to organizational capacity and sustainability.

Core Operating support is defined by Hutton Parker Foundation as unrestricted funding provided to a nonprofit organization to help cover its overall operations. Funding awards are an investment in the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability and is intended to help an organization remain stable and responsive. 

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. Hutton Parker Foundation considers a Core Support Grant an investment in an operationally strong nonprofit organization.  Our goal is to have this investment help that organization create and implement a targeted vision and mission driven business plan resulting in increased capacity and overall sustainability.

Priority for Core Operating Support will be given to organizations that:

  • Are established, well-managed, financially viable, and operate effective programs that serve Santa Barbara county

  • Have developed short and long-term strategies for addressing identified organizational needs

  • Can demonstrate how a Core Operating Support grant will have a measurable impact on organizational capacity

  • Have experienced funding reductions that impact the delivery of core programs and services.

  • Core Operating Support is unrestricted funding that enables an organization to carry out its mission. It can be used to underwrite an organization’s administrative and infrastructure costs, and/or maintain core programs and essential staff.

  • Core Support matters because effective projects and programs are only possible if the organization is running in a healthy manner; thus, Core Operating Support aims to propagate the idea that core funding is needed in order to carry out the organization’s mission. Core Support is a tool for strategic philanthropy, which can strengthen a nonprofit organization, giving it the means and flexibility to increase efficiency and allowing for more of an impact in their area. Hutton Parker Foundation is looking for organizations that can demonstrate how this Core Operating Support will allow them to make more of an impact on their intended beneficiaries.

  • In addition to meeting the Foundations’ general eligibility criteria, Core Operating Support requests will be considered for established and well-managed organizations.

    Priority will be given to organizations that:

    • Are financially viable, have evidence of strong management and resource development capacity, and operate effective programs; and

    • Have the ability to significantly impact specifically targeted and/or underserved populations.

  • Applicants seeking Core Support are advised that grant awards range for a minimum $5,000 to a maximum $15,000 and not to exceed 10% of an applicant’s annual operating budget.