Patrick and Aimee Butler Family
The Patrick and Aimee Butler Family is a private foundation based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Established there in 1951 by Patrick and Aimee Mott Butler, it supports effective nonprofits working in the arts, environment, and human services, with a priority on organizations serving Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family at a glance
In short: Patrick and Aimee Butler Family gave $2.9M across 88 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), mostly in Minnesota. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,924,750
- -22.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 88
- -21.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $33,236
- -1.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $27,500
- Total assets
- $102,282,984
- +0.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (18 of 82, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (83% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Patrick and Aimee Butler Family
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website describes a Community Grants process in which new applicants submit a letter of inquiry and selected applicants are invited to submit a proposal. Special Projects applicants must submit a letter of intent and may then be invited to submit a full proposal. The filing also says the foundation does not make grants through fiscal agents, to individuals, or outside the United States; does not make loans or provide scholarships to individuals; does not sponsor events; and makes capital grants only through its Special Projects or Foundation Initiative Fund programs by invitation.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists Special Projects letter-of-intent periods of April 1–June 1 and October 1–December 1, 2026. The October–December 2026 period is underway as of October 2, 2026. The listed 2026 Community Grants deadline of April 1, 2026, and the subsequent milestones through mid-October 2026 are past or upcoming milestones in that cycle; the site lists arts and environment as the 2026 Community Grants priorities.
- Deadline
- The website lists Special Projects letter-of-intent periods of April 1–June 1 and October 1–December 1, 2026.
- Contact
Application contact: Robert Hybben Foundation Co-Direct
Mailing address: 2356 University Avenue W Suite 420, St Paul, MN 55114
Phone: (651) 222-2565
Email: roberth@butlerfamilyfoundation.org
Website: https://butlerfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Patrick and Aimee Butler Family
Butler Family Foundation Community Grant
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family
Amount
More than US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Grants - Environment
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family
Amount
More than US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Grants Program - Arts
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family
Amount
More than US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Patrick and Aimee Butler Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation ($205K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
713 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 565 grants of 713 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation gives priority to organizations serving the Saint Paul and Minneapolis area. Its website says arts applicants must work in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, or Saint Paul’s eastern suburbs, while environmental applicants may work anywhere in Minnesota. In 2024, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 88 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Patrick and Aimee Butler Family open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 18 of 82 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 52% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 58% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.9M (2024) to $6.9M (2021). In 2024 it made 88 grants totaling $2.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Avenues for Youth Minneapolis, MN | New Youth Housing Facility in North | $150,000 |
| Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Saint Paul, MN | Alternative Admission Pathways Progr | $150,000 |
| Lutheran Social Service of Minnesot Saint Paul, MN | Center for Changing Lives: Frogtown- | $120,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy MN-SD-ND Ch Minneapolis, MN | Restoration of Peatlands in Minnesot | $120,000 |
| Catholic Charities of St Paul and Minneapolis, MN | Capital Improvements to the Northsid | $110,000 |
| Women's Foundation of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN | MN Feminist Giving Day | $100,000 |
| Catholic Charities of St Paul and Minneapolis, MN | General Operating Support | $55,000 |
| Collegeville Institute Collegeville, MN | General Operating Support | $55,000 |
| Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Saint Paul, MN | General Operating Support | $55,000 |
| Minneapolis Institute of Art Minneapolis, MN | General Operating Support | $55,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $102,282,984 | $6,686,816 | $5,363,508 | $2,924,750 | 88 | $5,053,929 | $5,928,259 | $5,084,428 |
| 2023 | $101,427,727 | $4,937,628 | $6,525,361 | $3,779,750 | 112 | $4,119,490 | $4,064,052 | $4,761,359 |
| 2022 | $97,421,248 | $2,257,103 | $5,048,232 | $4,529,750 | 134 | $4,906,127 | $2,902,973 | $4,921,926 |
| 2021 | $109,951,624 | $8,639,825 | $7,653,218 | $6,883,850 | 206 | $7,185,880 | $7,947,412 | $5,310,799 |
| 2020 | $105,845,251 | $4,562,747 | $7,534,130 | $6,840,265 | 173 | — | $4,194,518 | $4,790,688 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Patrick and Aimee Butler Family reported a distributable amount of $5.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it seeks to foster safety, opportunity, and growth for individuals and families by supporting nonprofits in the arts, environment, and human services. Its website describes arts priorities that include youth arts education and neighborhood-based community arts. Environmental grants focus on responsible stewardship of Minnesota’s land and water, including protection, sustainable use, water quality, and youth education. Its human services priorities include chemical dependency programs.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its giving. Avenues for Youth describes its work as partnering with young people experiencing homelessness through shelter, housing, and supportive services. Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation says it works with individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use and mental health conditions. Friends of the Mississippi River describes its work as engaging people to protect, restore, and enhance the Mississippi River and its Twin Cities watershed. The Minnesota Historical Society says it collects, preserves, and tells the story of Minnesota’s past.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 88 grants totaling $2,924,750. The grants ranged from $3,000 to $150,000, with a median of $27,500. Notable awards included $150,000 each to Avenues for Youth for a new youth housing facility and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation for alternative admission pathways; $120,000 to Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota for its Center for Changing Lives; and $120,000 to The Nature Conservancy’s Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota chapter for peatland restoration in Minnesota. Other reported awards included $100,000 to the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota and $50,000 to Friends of the Mississippi River.
Community Grants support eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. Arts applicants must operate in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, or Saint Paul’s eastern suburbs; environmental organizations may work anywhere in Minnesota. The website says Community Grant applicants must have an annual budget of at least $300,000 and that it prioritizes arts organizations with budgets under $5 million. Special Projects Grants are at least $100,000 and are limited to organizations with an active grant from the Community Grants Program, the Petersham Fund, or the Regranting & Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund. The foundation does not consider requests for general operating support or ongoing support for established programs through Special Projects.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John K. Butler as chair and treasurer, Bridget O’Brien as vice chair, and Madeline Butler as secretary. It lists Paul Butler, Andrew Lefevour, Kathleen Lefevour, Suzanne A. Lefevour, Emmett Lefevour, Temple Peterson, and Sara Rottunda as trustees.
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family is led by John K. Butler, Chair & Treasurer since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 10 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John K. Butler
Chair & Treasurer
Treasurer & Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Chair & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
22 hrs/week
$81K (2020) → $81K (2024)
Kathleen Lefevour
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul S. Butler
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sara Rottunda
Trustee
Chair & Trustee → Chair, 2021
Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne A. Lefevour
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Temple Peterson
Trustee
Vice Chair & Trustee → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Lefevour
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emmett Lefevour
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bridget O'Brien
Vice Chair
Secretary & Trustee → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Madeline Butler
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Bridget E. McElroy (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Catherine C. Butler (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Patrick Butler Jr. (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Brigid M. Butler (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Peter K. Butler (2020) — Former Chair & Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $81K, to John K Butler (Chair/Treasu).
Frequently asked questions about Patrick and Aimee Butler Family
How much does Patrick and Aimee Butler Family give each year?
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family gave $2.9M across 88 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.8M across 112 grants.
What is Patrick and Aimee Butler Family's typical grant size?
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family's median grant in 2024 was $27,500, and its average grant was $33,236, across 88 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Patrick and Aimee Butler Family that year got $16K on average.
Where does Patrick and Aimee Butler Family give grants?
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family gives mostly in Minnesota: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (30 grants), Saint Paul, MN (26 grants), Chicago, IL (3 grants) and Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does Patrick and Aimee Butler Family give general operating support?
Yes: 69% of Patrick and Aimee Butler Family's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (61 of 88) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Patrick and Aimee Butler Family's largest grantees?
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family's largest 2024 grantees include Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation ($205,000 across 2 grants), Catholic Charities of St Paul and ($165,000 across 2 grants) and The Nature Conservancy MN-SD-ND Ch ($157,500 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Patrick and Aimee Butler Family?
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family reported $102.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Patrick and Aimee Butler Family fund?
The foundation says it seeks to foster safety, opportunity, and growth for individuals and families by supporting nonprofits in the arts, environment, and human services. Its website describes arts priorities that include youth arts education and neighborhood-based community arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Patrick and Aimee Butler Family?
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Patrick and Aimee Butler Family's EIN?
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6009902. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Patrick and Aimee Butler Family accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Patrick and Aimee Butler Family funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/patrick-and-aimee-butler-family-morg_9398e57f5b3646ffbd49328509876218
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_416009902_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Patrick and Aimee Butler Family funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/patrick-and-aimee-butler-family-morg_9398e57f5b3646ffbd49328509876218},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Patrick and Aimee Butler Family's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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