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Patrick & Aimee Butler Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.8M
Grant Range
$20K - $0.5M
Decision Time
6mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,779,750 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $102,282,984
  • Decision Time: 5-6 months
  • Grant Range: $20,000 - $500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Twin Cities metro (Arts/Human Services); statewide Minnesota (Environment)

Contact Details

Address: 2356 University Avenue West, Suite 420, Saint Paul, MN 55114
Phone: 651-222-2565
Website: https://www.butlerfamilyfoundation.org/

Program Contacts:

  • Robert Hybben, Foundation Co-Director / Director of Program Operations: roberth@butlerfamilyfoundation.org (ext. 1)
  • JoAnne Peters, Manager, Community Grants: 651-222-2565

Overview

The Patrick & Aimee Butler Family Foundation was established in 1951 by Patrick and Aimee Mott Butler and is now governed by the founders' children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. With assets exceeding $102 million, the foundation awarded 112 grants totaling approximately $3.8 million in 2023. The foundation seeks to foster safety, opportunity, and growth for individuals and families by supporting effective nonprofit organizations in three core areas: human services, arts, and environment. The foundation emphasizes building long-term relationships with grantees, awarding only a limited number of grants to new organizations each year. A major estate gift from Kate Butler Peterson in 2011 expanded the foundation's capacity and reinforced its commitment to the betterment of the Twin Cities community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Program

  • Two-year grants for general operating support: Minimum $30,000 per year
  • Two-year grants for program support: Minimum $20,000 per year
  • Application cycle alternates annually between focus areas (Arts/Environment in even years; Human Services in odd years)
  • Online application opens December 1; deadline April 1 (at 11:59 p.m.)

Special Projects Grants Program

  • Minimum $100,000 per grant
  • 4-8 grants awarded annually
  • Only available to current grantees of Community Grants Program, Petersham Fund, or Regranting & Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund
  • Two application periods annually (October-December and April-June)
  • Supports capital campaigns, major program innovations, and systems change initiatives

Invited Grants Program

  • For organizations of special interest to the foundation
  • No unsolicited applications accepted

Priority Areas

Human Services

  • Housing for homeless populations
  • Chemical dependency and addiction support
  • Domestic and family violence prevention and services
  • Support for sexually exploited individuals and sex trafficking victims
  • Programs serving vulnerable populations, especially women and children

Arts

  • Community-based organizations making arts accessible to all Twin Cities residents
  • Youth arts programs
  • Multidisciplinary and visual arts
  • Programs emphasizing artistic quality, community diversity, and stable programming
  • Historical societies, humanities organizations, and museums

Environment (Minnesota statewide)

  • Water quality of the upper Mississippi River watershed
  • Environmental education programs
  • Land preservation and sustainable land use
  • Programs promoting stewardship of natural resources for present and future generations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated on their website, the foundation's focus areas and eligibility requirements indicate they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their geographic service areas (Twin Cities metro for arts/human services; Minnesota for environment)
  • Organizations with annual budgets under $300,000
  • Program support for programs with budgets under $80,000
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (Family Members)

  • Sara Rottunda, Trustee & Chair
  • Temple Peterson, Trustee & Vice-Chair
  • John K. Butler, Trustee & Treasurer
  • Bridget O'Brien, Trustee & Secretary
  • Bridget McElroy, Trustee
  • Patrick Butler, Jr., Trustee
  • Paul Butler, Trustee
  • Suzanne LeFevour, Trustee

Staff Leadership

  • Robert Hybben, Foundation Co-Director / Director of Program Operations
  • JoAnne Peters, Manager, Community Grants
  • Kerrie Blevins, Senior Advisor, Programs

The board includes three generations of the Butler family, with the third generation introducing the environmental focus to the foundation's priorities. The trustees "continue to honor Pat and Aimee's commitment to the betterment of the Twin Cities community."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For New Applicants (Organizations that have not received a Community Grant in the past two years):

  1. Create an account in the online application system at butlerfamilyfoundation.org
  2. Submit a Letter of Inquiry through the online portal
  3. Deadline: April 1 at 11:59 p.m.
  4. If invited to submit a full proposal: Mid-June deadline

For Renewing Grantees:

  1. Submit a Renewal Application through the online portal
  2. Deadline: April 1 at 11:59 p.m.

Application System Features:

  • Applications can be completed in multiple sessions
  • Must save before logging off
  • Upload only one document per question
  • All required fields marked with asterisk (*)
  • Must click "Submit Application" when complete

Pre-Application Outreach: According to grantee reviews, it is highly recommended to speak with a program officer before applying. The staff is described as small but approachable and willing to answer questions by phone.

Decision Timeline

  • Application opens: December 1
  • Application deadline: April 1 (11:59 p.m.)
  • Invitations to new applicants: Mid-May
  • Full proposals due (new applicants): Mid-June
  • Site visits: May through August
  • Board decision: Fall Board of Trustees meeting (mid-October)
  • Total timeline: Approximately 5-6 months from application deadline to decision

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 112 grants in 2023 and 133 grants in 2022. Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation emphasizes that it "awards only a limited number of grants to new organizations each year" due to its focus on building long-term relationships with existing grantees. This suggests a relatively competitive process for new applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have not received a Community Grant over the past two years must submit a Letter of Inquiry. The foundation does not explicitly state a waiting period for unsuccessful applicants to reapply, but the two-year grant cycle and annual application deadlines suggest unsuccessful applicants could reapply in subsequent years. Contact the foundation directly for specific guidance on reapplication timing.

Application Success Factors

Relationship-Building is Critical: Multiple grantee reviews emphasize that the Butler Family Foundation "only funds organizations they have a relationship with" and that applicants should not "send a blind LOI/proposal." The foundation values building long-term partnerships and is described as "loyal once you get in."

Connect with Program Officers: Grantees consistently recommend speaking with a program officer before submitting an application. The staff is described as "approachable and willing to answer questions on the phone." Robert Hybben and JoAnne Peters are the primary contacts for prospective applicants.

Geographic Alignment: Ensure your organization's service area matches the foundation's requirements. For arts and human services, work must be in the urban cores of Minneapolis or St. Paul or the East Metropolitan suburbs. Environment grants can serve anywhere in Minnesota.

Budget Requirements: Meet the minimum budget thresholds: $300,000 annual organizational budget overall, and $80,000 annual budget for specific programs if applying for program support.

Recent Funding Examples: The foundation has supported organizations such as:

  • Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation (multiple grants, $45,000-$405,000)
  • Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center ($200,000 for mind-body medicine project)
  • YouthLink ($225,000 for supportive housing capital project)
  • CLUES ($250,000 for headquarters expansion)
  • Second Harvest Heartland, The Bridge for Youth, Women's Foundation of Minnesota

Focus on Vulnerable Populations: The foundation has a particular interest in programs serving "the most vulnerable members of our community, especially women and children" in human services, and programs that demonstrate "community diversity" and accessibility in the arts.

Alternating Cycle Awareness: The Community Grants Program alternates focus areas annually. Plan your application timing accordingly (Arts/Environment in even years; Human Services in odd years).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Prioritize relationship-building: Contact program officers before applying; this is a relationship-focused funder that values long-term partnerships over one-time grants
  • Geographic specificity matters: Verify your service area matches their requirements (Twin Cities metro for arts/human services; statewide for environment)
  • Budget thresholds are firm: Ensure your organization has at least $300,000 annual budget and programs have $80,000+ budgets
  • Two-year commitment: Community Grants are two-year awards, so demonstrate organizational stability and capacity for sustained partnership
  • Limited new grantee slots: Competition is significant for new applicants; the foundation awards "only a limited number" of new grants annually
  • Special Projects require existing relationship: The $100,000+ Special Projects Grants are only available to current grantees
  • Timing is everything: The alternating annual cycle means you may need to wait a full year if your program area doesn't align with the current cycle

References

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