Apply for General Operating Support Grants

  • Review Eligibility & Guidelines

    Before applying, review the General Guidelines and Core Support eligibility criteria to ensure your organization qualifies. Applications are only open to Santa Barbara County-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits. If your organization was awarded funding in 2025, you must wait until 2027 to reapply.

  • Prepare Your Application

    Determine whether your organization falls under Cycle I (Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture) or Cycle II (Civic & Community, Education). This should be based off your Mission Statement as an organization, not programs offered. Review the specific classifications to confirm where you fit. You can preview the full application and required attachments in our GOOGLE FOLDER to prepare in advance.

  • Apply Through the Online Portal

    When the application cycle opens, submit your grant request via the Hutton Parker Foundation’s online grantee portal. New applicants must create an account, while returning applicants can log in to access saved applications. Be sure to submit only the required forms in PDF format, as incomplete or incorrect submissions will not be considered. The financials submitted MUST be submitted in our format, which can be found in our Google Folder.

Two Grant Cycles

Hutton Parker Foundation will facilitate two Core Support grant cycles in calendar 2026. Please note that 2026 will be the third year that the foundation will be decreasing the amount of funding that we will be awarded via Core Support Grants.

Therefore, grants in 2026 will range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $15,000 and not to exceed 10% of an applicant’s annual operating budget.

Each cycle will consist of a 5-day Open Application Period followed by an approximately 60-day Review & Evaluation Period. See Cycle I and Cycle II details below.

Applicants must apply to either Cycle I or Cycle II as described on the above (please read through our classifications to the right as they have adjusted and changed from 2024.) Duplicate applications will not be accepted.  Core/General Operating Support funding is limited to SANTA BARBARA COUNTY-based nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organizations only. Any organization awarded funding in 2025 is ineligible to apply for additional funding until 2027.

All questions regarding eligibility, our application process and procedure, and/or any other inquires should be sent to Grants@huttonfoundation.org.

  • 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.

    April 13, 2026– Application Cycle opens at 9am
    April 17, 2026     – Application Cycle closes at 5pm
    June 2026 – Award Notifications

    Please note Hutton Parker Foundation’s organization classifications as follows:

    HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

    • Mental Health Care Programs

    • Health 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 & CULTURE

    • Museums & Historical Preservations

    • Performing Arts (Dance, Music, Theater)

    • Performing Arts Education (Dance, Music, Theater)

  • Designated for CIVIC & COMMUNITY and EDUCATION Organizations
    Note:  Any organization awarded funding in 2025 is ineligible to apply for additional funding until 2027.

    September 14, 2026 — Application Cycle opens at 9am
    September 18, 2026     — Application Cycle closes at 5pm
    November 2026 — Award Notifications

    Please note Hutton Parker Foundation’s organization classifications as follows:

    CIVIC & COMMUNITY

    • Public Safety (abuse prevention/services, legal services, safety education, transportation)

    • Community Recreation (camps, clubs, festivals, parks, playgrounds, libraries)

    • Food Security (community food systems, food sovereignty)

    • Environment (biodiversity, climate change, environmental education, public gardens)

    • Animal Welfare (animal shelters & services, zoos)

    EDUCATION

    • Adult Education (adult literacy, high school equivalency, continuing education)

    • Early Childhood Education (infant – preschool education/childcare)

    • Education Services (college preparation, computer literacy, out-of-school learning, literacy, student retention, tutoring, after-school educational programs

    • Elementary and Secondary Education (schools, student programs, scholarship programs)

    • Higher Education (colleges, universities, scholarship programs)

    • Youth Development (tutoring programs, outdoor education, after-school development, childcare programs)

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