The CCMP is supported by funds from the National Science Foundation (USA) and by revenues derived by the sale of cultures.

The CCMP provides to the scientific, governmental and business communities both core and special services. The core, or basic, service is to maintain important and representative living cultures and to provide these on request. The special services are provided at cost and when time allows. Special services include special orders (e.g., mass culturing, DNA extractions, frozen cells), isolating and purifying strains, visiting scientist space, and education (phytoplankton culture techniques). The CCMP holds approximately 1450 strains. The vast majority of the strains are marine phytoplankton, but we maintain a few benthic algae, a few marine macrophytes and a few freshwater microalgae. The CCMP operates culture boxes at five temperatures (-2° , 4° , 14° , 20° , 25°C); each varies about ± 2°C ). Each strain is maintained in three separate culture boxes. The Center has a back-up electricity generator and a security system that monitors temperatures and electrical supply.