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H. E. Butt Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.6M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.3M

H. E. Butt Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,551,956 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $738,793,484
  • Grant Range: $240 - $330,506
  • Number of Grants: 136 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Texas (with focus on San Antonio, Kerrville, and Real County); some grants in District of Columbia and Indiana
  • Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited grant applications

Contact Details

Website: hebfdn.org

Main Office: Kerrville, TX

Phone: 830-232-3671 (Foundation Camp office)

San Antonio Office: Community Engagement programs

Overview

The H. E. Butt Foundation was established in 1933 by Mary Holdsworth and Howard Butt Sr., making it one of the earliest philanthropic foundations in Texas. With total assets exceeding $738 million and annual giving of approximately $3.6 million, the Foundation operates primarily as an operating foundation rather than a traditional grantmaker, running its own programs directly while also making strategic grants to preselected organizations.

The Foundation's mission is "to cultivate wholeness in people and institutions for the transformation of communities" with a vision of "people restored in relationship to God, self, others, and creation, and institutions effective in purpose, strengthened by leadership, and rooted in community." Under President and CEO David Rogers' three-decade leadership, the organization has transformed "from a primarily faith-based, camping-focused culture into a culture-shaping organization known internationally for its commitment to hospitality and excellence."

The Foundation operates five primary programs on 1,900 acres along the Frio River Canyon near Leakey, Texas, plus a sixth community engagement program serving San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. Recent major initiatives include The Congregational Collective, a $15 million, five-year commitment to make San Antonio's faith communities leaders in mental health and wellness.

Funding Priorities

Grant Categories (2023)

The Foundation's 2023 grant-making activities totaled approximately $16.9 million across the following areas:

  • Christian Retreat Support: $9,303,023 for Leakey, TX-based public charities that host Christian retreats for adults, families, and youth
  • Strategic Community Initiatives: $5,607,228 for mental health, healthy families, healthy communities, and influencing future leaders
  • Free Camping Facilities: $1,326,633 to provide free camping on the 1,900-acre ranch for over 200 nonprofit groups, hosting over 20,000 people
  • Outdoor Education: $630,475 for outdoor school programs providing educational opportunities for over 20 schools and 2,500 students

Priority Areas

Core Focus Areas:

  • Faith-based renewal and spiritual development
  • Mental health and wellness (particularly in faith communities)
  • Nonprofit capacity building
  • Education and youth development
  • Family strengthening
  • Community transformation in underserved areas

Geographic Priorities:

  • San Antonio and surrounding areas
  • Kerrville and the Texas Hill Country
  • Real County, Texas
  • Select grants outside Texas (District of Columbia, Indiana)

Recent Grant Recipients and Partners

Organizations supported through the Capacity Building Program and other partnerships include:

  • AVANCE: Serves low-income families in Texas with parenting and early childhood education
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas: Youth mentoring programs
  • SA Heals: Equality and equity initiatives on San Antonio's east side
  • New Hope Counseling Center: Mental health services in Kerr County and surrounding Hill Country counties
  • Families and Literacy: Adult education in the Hill Country
  • The Congregational Collective: $15 million over five years (founded by the Foundation in 2023)

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations identified through the Foundation's strategic initiatives and existing relationships.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Howard Butt, III: CEO, H-E-B (third generation of founding family)
  • Stephen Butt: President of Central Market, H-E-B
  • Sarah Butt Oldeschulte: Director, Site Reliability Engineering at SentinelOne
  • Alexandra Crawford: Trustee
  • Deborah Rogers: Trustee
  • David Rogers: President of the H. E. Butt Foundation

Board members from the Butt family serve without compensation.

Executive Leadership

  • David Rogers: President and CEO (30+ years with the Foundation)
  • Janice Flynn: Chief Financial Officer
  • Perri Rosheger: Vice President of Community Engagement
  • Patton Dodd: Executive Director of Storytelling and Communications
  • Cary Hendricks: Executive Director of Laity Lodge Camping Programs
  • Steven Purcell: Executive Director of Laity Lodge

Foundation Programs

Frio River Canyon Programs (Leakey, TX)

1. H. E. Butt Foundation Camp Provides free camping facilities to missionally aligned nonprofit organizations serving people who could not otherwise afford the experience. Over 200 groups and 20,000 people use the facilities annually.

2. Laity Lodge Adult retreat center focused on spiritual renewal and leadership development.

3. Laity Lodge Youth Camp (LLYC) Established in 1966, offers "a blend of high-energy recreation, wild adventures, peaceful renewal, and meaningful community" for young people. Operates two locations: Singing Hills and Echo Valley.

4. Laity Lodge Family Camp (LLFC) Interdenominational Christian family camp designed to strengthen family relationships.

5. Outdoor School Partners with schools to provide free transformative camp experiences; serves over 20 schools and 2,500 students annually.

Community Engagement Program

Launched in 2016, this initiative serves families and children in San Antonio, Kerrville, and Real County through:

  • Capacity Building Program: Organizational development support for approximately 40 area nonprofits
  • Know Your Neighbor: Storytelling program building bridges across economic and social divides
  • Mental health initiatives in partnership with faith communities

The Congregational Collective

Founded by the H. E. Butt Foundation in 2023 as an independent 501(c)(3) public charity with $15 million in startup funding over five years. The Collective's mission is to equip San Antonio congregations as community leaders in mental health and wellness.

Key Initiative: 18-month learning pilot with eight diverse San Antonio congregations (El Templo Cristiano Assemblies of God, Family Life International Assemblies of God, First Baptist Church, Grace Northridge Anglican Church, St. Dominic's Catholic Church, St. Paul's Catholic Church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and University Methodist Church).

Research Foundation: The initiative builds on research partnerships with the Meadows Foundation and University of Texas-San Antonio studying how churches respond to members experiencing mental health problems. Survey data showed 77% of churchgoers would turn to faith leaders during crises, yet only 27% of churches have mental health assistance plans.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The H. E. Butt Foundation does not have a public grant application process. The Foundation states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

All grants are awarded through:

  • Strategic initiatives developed by Foundation leadership
  • Existing partnerships and relationships
  • Trustee discretion
  • Organizations identified through the Foundation's community engagement work

Foundation Camp Facility Use (Not a Grant Program)

Organizations can apply to use the Foundation Camp facilities free of charge. This is separate from grant-making:

Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations that serve the common good and bring campers who would not otherwise afford the opportunity, including church retreats, youth service organizations, schools, MHMR retreats, and other groups serving people in Texas.

Application: Annual applications required; groups must apply each year at foundationcamp.org/apply or call 830-232-3671.

Requirements: Groups must provide their own programming, food service, insurance coverage, and staff supervision.

Getting on Their Radar

The Foundation identifies grant recipients through specific, structured pathways:

1. Capacity Building Program Participation The Foundation has partnered with approximately 40 San Antonio and Hill Country nonprofits through its Capacity Building Program. Organizations that have participated in this program are vetted for charitable status and mission alignment, creating a pathway to potential funding relationships.

2. Faith Community Partnerships The Congregational Collective and mental health initiatives involve direct partnerships with specific churches and faith-based organizations. The Foundation selects partner congregations for pilot programs and learning initiatives.

3. Education and Youth Services Schools and youth-serving organizations can connect through the Outdoor School program, which provides free educational camp experiences. Over 20 schools and 2,500 students participate annually.

4. Community Engagement Networks The Foundation's San Antonio office builds relationships with nonprofits working on mental health, family strengthening, and economic equity issues through convenings, research partnerships, and collaborative initiatives.

5. Existing H-E-B and Butt Family Relationships Given the Foundation's connection to the H-E-B Grocery Company founding family (though financially and legally distinct), organizations with existing relationships to H-E-B's corporate philanthropy may have connections to Foundation leadership and board members who work in the company.

Application Success Factors

Mission Alignment is Critical

The Foundation's grants reflect deep alignment with its mission "to cultivate wholeness in people and institutions for the transformation of communities." Organizations funded demonstrate work in:

  • Faith-based community transformation
  • Mental health and wellness
  • Family strengthening
  • Youth development
  • Nonprofit organizational capacity
  • Service to underserved populations

Geographic Focus Matters

The vast majority of funding remains in Texas, with particular concentration in:

  • San Antonio and surrounding areas
  • Kerrville and the Texas Hill Country
  • Real County

While some grants extend to DC and Indiana, Texas-based organizations aligned with local community priorities have the strongest positioning.

Relationship-Driven Grant-Making

As an invitation-only funder, relationships matter significantly. Organizations become known through:

  • Participation in Foundation-led initiatives (Capacity Building Program, Congregational Collective, etc.)
  • Partnerships with Foundation programs
  • Connections through board members and leadership networks
  • Demonstrated impact in communities where the Foundation works

Long-Term Strategic Initiatives

The Foundation makes multi-year commitments to strategic priorities. The Congregational Collective received $15 million over five years. This suggests the Foundation favors sustained investment in carefully chosen initiatives rather than one-off grants.

Focus on Systemic Change

The Foundation's work emphasizes transforming systems and institutions, not just providing services. The mental health initiative focuses on equipping entire congregations as community resources, and the Capacity Building Program strengthens nonprofit infrastructure for long-term effectiveness.

Christian Faith Integration

While the Foundation serves diverse communities, its programs and grants reflect Christian faith commitments. Laity Lodge was founded on Howard Butt, Jr.'s belief that "all of God's people can participate in God's good and healing work in the world, not just clergy." Organizations should understand this faith-based foundation of the Foundation's work.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation awards grants only to preselected organizations. Do not submit unsolicited proposals.

  • Operating foundation model: The Foundation primarily runs its own programs (camps, retreats, community initiatives) rather than making grants, with grant-making representing strategic investments in aligned organizations.

  • Relationship pathways exist: Connect through the Capacity Building Program, Congregational Collective partnerships, Outdoor School collaborations, or community engagement initiatives in San Antonio and the Hill Country.

  • Mission alignment is essential: Organizations must demonstrate commitment to wholeness, community transformation, and renewal of individuals, families, and institutions—concepts rooted in Christian faith.

  • Texas Hill Country and San Antonio focus: Geographic proximity to the Foundation's core operating areas significantly increases likelihood of partnership.

  • Multi-year strategic commitments: When the Foundation invests, it does so substantially and over time (e.g., $15 million over five years for The Congregational Collective), suggesting they seek deep partnerships rather than transactional grants.

  • Mental health is a priority: The Foundation has demonstrated significant commitment to mental health and wellness, particularly integrating mental health support within faith communities and camp settings.

References

Research completed December 22, 2025

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