General Operating Support Grants

The Core Support (General Operating Support) grant offered by the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) provides nonprofits in the Valley region of Connecticut with flexible, mission-driven funding. Designed to enhance the operational stability and effectiveness of local organizations, this grant supports day-to-day operations instead of limiting funding to specific programs or projects. General operating support enables grantees to direct funds to areas of highest need, strengthening their capacity to deliver on their missions. This funding mechanism is particularly beneficial for nonprofits focused on addressing community needs across Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. The Valley Community Foundation, in partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, has long been committed to strengthening the nonprofit ecosystem in the Valley. VCF’s general operating support grants exemplify this commitment by offering funding that can be used for staff salaries, utilities, rent, communications, and other core functions. Grants are awarded for one-year, two-year, or three-year terms, giving organizations the opportunity to engage in longer-term planning and sustainability efforts. This reflects the Foundation’s broader strategic aim to put community assets on solid ground and support mission continuity. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with at least three continuous years of programming, operating under a 501(c)(3) designation or a qualified fiscal sponsor. Organizations must have a minimum annual operating budget of $250,000. If the applicant is working with a fiscal sponsor, they must also maintain an independent advisory board or board of directors based in the Valley region. Additionally, organizations must serve residents in at least one of the five designated towns: Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, or Shelton. Applicants cannot apply for this grant if they are currently receiving a responsive grant from The Community Foundation or VCF that ends later than December 31, 2026. Certain restrictions apply to ensure alignment with VCF’s funding priorities. Organizations that have received a Small Grant from The Community Foundation in the same cycle may not also apply for a Core Support grant. Furthermore, organizations promoting religious ideology, endowment campaigns, or sports leagues lacking academic or social support components are generally not considered. The Foundation also excludes funding for previously incurred expenses, capital deficits, or municipal departments. Proposals from organizations fiscally sponsored by out-of-region entities without a local advisory structure, or those closely tied to for-profit entities, are ineligible. The application process is accessed through the Foundation's online portal, with details and forms provided on the VCF website. Applicants must ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws across operational practices. Those who have received grants in the past four years must be current with reporting requirements. Sandra Arburr, the Grants and Nonprofit Support Manager, serves as the point of contact for inquiries. She can be reached by phone at 203-751-9162 or via email through the foundation’s contact page. Although an exact application deadline is not listed, the program is recurring and applicants are encouraged to consult the site regularly for updates on submission windows and to ensure compliance with eligibility requirements.