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Butler Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.8M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.2M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,832,406 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $48.4 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $250 - $200,000
  • Median Grant: $3,000
  • Average Grant: $70,100
  • Number of Grants: 66 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Dubuque County, Iowa, with some national giving
  • Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 28, Dubuque, IA 52004

Phone: (563) 583-7301

EIN: 42-1429940

Note: This is a private family foundation without a public application process. Contact the foundation directly to inquire about funding opportunities.

Overview

The Butler Family Foundation was established in 1994 by John E. and Alice L. Butler in Dubuque, Iowa. With total assets of $48.4 million and annual giving of approximately $1.8 million, the foundation is a significant philanthropic force in the Dubuque community and beyond. The foundation supports nonprofits focused on education, arts and culture, human services, and the environment. John and Alice Butler's philanthropic philosophy is guided by their desire to "leave the world a little better than we found it," and their giving extends from major institutional gifts to grassroots community organizations. The wide range of grant sizes—from $250 to $200,000—reflects their commitment to supporting organizations of all sizes that align with their mission.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The Butler Family Foundation supports organizations in the following areas:

  • Education: Support for schools, universities, youth development programs, and educational institutions
  • Arts & Culture: Performing arts centers, theaters, museums, symphony orchestras, and cultural organizations
  • Human Services: Youth services, social services, senior welfare, and community support organizations
  • Environment & Nature: Conservation, arboretums, and environmental education
  • Historic Preservation: Projects that preserve Dubuque's heritage
  • Community Improvement: Organizations that enhance quality of life in Dubuque
  • Medical/Health: Healthcare institutions and medical foundations

Geographic Focus

The foundation focuses primarily on Dubuque County, Iowa, though they do make grants to select national organizations, particularly in education and the arts.

Sample Grant Recipients

Recent grants demonstrate the foundation's diverse interests:

  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque: $200,000
  • American Enterprise Institute, Washington, DC: $50,000
  • Clarke University, Dubuque: $26,000
  • Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN: $25,000
  • Camp Albrecht Acres of the Midwest, Sherrill, IA: $5,000
  • Chicago Symphony Orchestra: $2,500
  • Dubuque Arboretum: $2,500
  • Dubuque Arts Council: $1,600
  • Area Residential Care, Dubuque: $2,500
  • Bethany Home, Dubuque: $2,500
  • Bell Tower Theater, Dubuque: $500
  • Boy Scouts of America, Dubuque: $500
  • Art Institute of Chicago: $250

Governance and Leadership

John E. Butler - Chairperson

Alice L. Butler - Vice-Chairperson

Timothy L. Berns - Secretary/Treasurer

John and Alice Butler are prominent Dubuque business leaders and philanthropists. Beyond their foundation, they have made transformative gifts to the community, including a $60 million donation to the University of Dubuque in December 2024 to establish the John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine, set to open in 2028.

Leadership Philosophy

John Butler has articulated the couple's approach to giving: "We're terribly proud of our company, which has enabled a lot of things." Their business success has provided the foundation for their philanthropy. Butler also explained their motivation: "We try to recruit very talented people. Folks who could live anywhere and we really would like them to live in Dubuque, but that isn't going to happen unless the quality of life is quite pleasing to such people." This statement reveals their strategic thinking about philanthropy as a tool for community development.

Gary Gansemer, former president and CEO of Hillcrest Family Services, observed: "Their contributions go beyond monetary gifts. They share their vision for a better community and their vision is most often 20/20."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Butler Family Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are typically awarded at the discretion of the trustees. The foundation may identify organizations through their existing relationships, community connections, and the trustees' knowledge of community needs.

Organizations interested in funding should contact the foundation directly at (563) 583-7301 to inquire about potential funding opportunities. However, given the private nature of this foundation, grants may be made primarily to organizations already known to the trustees.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available, as the foundation operates on a trustee-discretion model rather than a formal grant cycle.

Application Success Factors

Since the Butler Family Foundation operates without a public application process, success in securing funding likely depends on several factors specific to this funder:

Alignment with Dubuque Community Development

The Butlers' stated motivation for giving centers on making Dubuque an attractive place for talented professionals. Organizations that demonstrate how their work enhances quality of life in Dubuque and attracts or retains talent may align particularly well with the foundation's mission.

Range of Funding Levels

The wide disparity between median grants ($3,000) and average grants ($70,100) suggests the foundation takes a varied approach. They make numerous small grants to grassroots organizations ($250-$5,000) while also providing transformational funding to major institutions ($50,000-$200,000). Organizations should be realistic about which tier they might fit into based on their scope and impact.

Focus on Education and Youth

Grants to Boys & Girls Club ($200,000), Clarke University ($26,000), Camp Albrecht Acres ($5,000), and Boy Scouts ($500) demonstrate a strong commitment to youth development and education. Organizations working with young people in Dubuque appear to be a priority.

Multi-Year Relationships

As a family foundation with local roots, the Butlers likely value long-term relationships with grantees. Organizations that have demonstrated impact over time may be more likely to receive continued support.

Vision for Community Impact

According to community leaders, the Butlers "share their vision for a better community." Organizations that can articulate how their work contributes to a comprehensive vision for Dubuque's future—rather than isolated projects—may be more compelling.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This is a private family foundation that awards grants at trustee discretion. Direct contact is the only pathway to funding.
  • Strong local focus: While some national grants are made, Dubuque County organizations receive the bulk of funding. Local connections matter.
  • Wide grant range: The foundation makes grants from $250 to $200,000, with a median of $3,000. Small organizations can access modest funding; larger institutions can receive transformational gifts.
  • Quality of life mission: The Butlers are motivated by making Dubuque an attractive community for talented people. Frame your work in terms of community enhancement.
  • Youth and education priority: Youth-serving organizations receive particularly strong support, especially those focused on education and development.
  • Long-term community vision: The foundation values organizations that contribute to a broader vision for community improvement, not just isolated programs.
  • Relationship-driven: As a family foundation without formal application processes, personal relationships and trustees' direct knowledge of organizations likely drive funding decisions.

References

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