Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc
The J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation is a private foundation based in New York City dedicated to creating life-enhancing opportunities for at-risk and underserved individuals and families. Established in 1954, the foundation operates as a living legacy to its founders, Zella and Jack Butler, and their commitment to the New York and Jewish communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$93.9M
+4.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.4M
+5.4% YoY
Grant Count
85
-7.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$51K
+14.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $5.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
History & Mission
The foundation was created in response to the Butlers' personal experience with disability. Their only child, Barbara, was born in 1939 with severe developmental disabilities. This experience shaped the family's lifelong commitment to ensuring that people with special needs had access to programs that would enhance their lives. Zella dedicated herself to supporting blind university students in their academic pursuits, while Jack served as a mentor and friend to young people. The foundation's work continues their vision of compassion and service.
Mission Statement: Giving primarily to support life-enhancing opportunities for at-risk and underserved individuals and families through partnerships with community-based organizations.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $340,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- New York (particularly the New York metro area)
- Massachusetts (Boston area)
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $89,938,502
- Total Revenues: $6,485,698
- Total Expenses: $6,045,002
- Total Giving: $4,360,760 (based on 2024 data)
EIN: 13-6082916
Contact Information:
- Phone: 212-840-3456
- Website: www.butlerfoundation.org
- Address: c/o Anchin, 3 Times Square, New York City, NY 10036
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $93,878,311 | $89,938,502 | $88,185,237 |
| Revenue | $12,249,112 | $6,485,698 | $1,333,023 |
| Expenses | $7,271,517 | $6,045,002 | $6,903,176 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,841,383 | $4,513,680 | $5,177,154 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,855,714 | $5,023,991 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $5,809,761 | $5,218,925 | $5,455,290 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst (jch) ($150,000), Massachusetts Advocates for Children (mac) ($125,000), Afya Foundation ($93,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADAPTIVE SPORTS FOUNDATION WINDHAM, NY | MOVE TOGETHER APART | $10,000 |
| AFYA FOUNDATION YONKERS, NY | CARES INTERNSHIP PROGRAM | $93,000 |
| ASSOCIATION FOR AUTISM AND NEURODIVERSITY (AANE) WATERTOWN, MA | INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES | $60,000 |
| AUDITORY ORAL SCHOOL OF NEW YORK BROOKLYN, NY | CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS | $65,000 |
| BACKYARD SPORTS CARES WHITE PLAINS, NY | FRIDAY NIGHT TEEN PLUS | $15,000 |
| BARRY AND FLORENCE FRIEDBERG JCC OCEANSIDE, NY | EZRA CENTER FOR SPECIAL SERVICES | $45,000 |
| BLYTHEDALE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL VALHALLA, NY | TRAINING FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF CHRONICALLY ILL CHILDREN | $75,000 |
| BOSTON CASA BOSTON, MA | COURT APPONTED YOUTH ADVOCATES | $35,000 |
| BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER BOSTON, MA | AUTISM CLINIC:PATIENT SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH | $75,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF DORCHESTER DORCHESTER, MA | PROJECT B.I.N.D. | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Bruce Doniger – President and Chief Executive Officer
- Patricia Goldman – Vice President
- Nicole Doniger – Director
The foundation operates with 3 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRUCE DONIGER | PRES/CFO | 20 | $144,300 |
| CAROL PARRISH | VP | 20 | — |
| PATRICIA GOLDMAN | VP/SECY/TREAS | 40 | $173,160 |
| NICOLE DONIGER | DIRECTOR | 37.5 | $144,503 |
| REBECCA PARRISH SNOWDON | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | $30,000 |
| DEBORA ISDALE | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| PAMELA MACAFFER | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation was created in response to the Butlers' personal experience with disability. Their only child, Barbara, was born in 1939 with severe developmental disabilities. This experience shaped the family's lifelong commitment to ensuring that people with special needs had access to programs that would enhance their lives. Zella dedicated herself to supporting blind university students in their academic pursuits, while Jack served as a mentor and friend to young people. The foundation's wo…
How do I apply for a grant from Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $340,000. **Grant Structure:** The foundation usually awards grants for one-year periods, though it occasionally considers multi-year requests. **What the Foundation Does Not Support:** • Educational institutions • Religious organizations • Capital campaigns • Research projects **Recent Grants (2023):** • Barry and Florence Friedberg Jewish Community Center: $102,000 (Ezra Center for Special Services/Teaching Assistant Development Program) • …
Where does Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • New York (particularly the New York metro area) • Massachusetts (Boston area)
What size grants does Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc awarded 85 grants totaling $4.4M — an average of about $51K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $5.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc's EIN?
Je & Zb Butler Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6082916. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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