The Butler Foundation
The Butler Foundation is a private foundation based in Springfield, New Hampshire. Established in 1994, it operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking across multiple sectors.
Key facts about The Butler Foundation
- EIN
- 22-2701588
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $538,495
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- Average grant
- $59,833
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $6,108,561
- Primary geography
- Maryland (36% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Butler Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Butler Foundation's 9 itemized 2024 grants were Maryland (36%), Massachusetts (19%) and Georgia (11%). None of its 9 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.
How The Butler Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−13%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 134% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with The Butler Foundation
- How to evaluate The Butler Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.1M
-6.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$538K
+3.2% YoY
Grant Count
9
-35.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$60K
+60.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Butler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $496K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily funds scholarships, conservation efforts, equipment purchases, and administrative operations. Its primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Health Care
Grantmaking
The foundation made 11 grants in 2023, including:
Grant Range
$17,400
Average Grant
$26,200
Ready to take the next step with The Butler Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New Hampshire, Washington, and Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 9 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- Total assets (2023): $6,563,501
Annual Activity:
- Total revenues (2023): $651,661
- Total expenses (2023): $674,750
Staffing:
- 1 employee
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,108,561 | $6,563,501 | $6,590,009 |
| Revenue | $269,459 | $651,661 | $274,133 |
| Expenses | $724,319 | $674,750 | $406,169 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $666,487 | $628,697 | $359,572 |
| Net Investment Income | $277,365 | $640,453 | $263,217 |
| Distributable Amount | $495,635 | $487,987 | $500,823 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Jocotoco Conservation Foundation ($196,290), Mass Eye & Ear Associates ($100,000), Earth University Foundation ($58,750).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JOCOTOCO CONSERVATION FOUNDATION Baltimore, MD | GRANT FOR PARQUES CONDOR INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCEPURCHASE OF 132 HECTARES FOR BUENAVENTURA PRESERVE IN ECUADORGRANT FOR PARQUE CONDOR FOR BIRD ACQUISION, TELEMETRY AND CONNECTION AND CONFERENCE | $196,290 |
| MASS EYE & EAR ASSOCIATES Boston, MA | UPGRADE OF THE OGI'S HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTE CLUSTER | $100,000 |
| EARTH UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION Atlanta, GA | 1ST AND FINAL PAYMENT FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP | $58,750 |
| NH AUDUBON Concord, NH | 10,000 TOWARD AERIAL INSECTIVORE STUDY AND 6,000 FOR CLIFF SWALLOW STUDY | $50,850 |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN NH Arlington, VA | ACQUISTION OF LAND ON FALL MOUNTAIN | $50,000 |
| THE PHOENIX CONSERVANCY Pullman, WA | FOXHOLE FOREST CONSTRUCTION IN MADAGASCAR AND MONARCH HABITAT RESTORATION AT PULLMAN SCHOOL IN WA | $28,500 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN Madison, WI | GRANT TO PUBLISH ARCHEAOLOGICAL WORK OF PALMITOPAMBA IN ECUADOR | $25,000 |
| VERMONT INSTITUTE OF NATURAL SCIENCE Quechee, VT | EARLY CHILDHOOD EXHIBIT | $20,000 |
| IGLESIA EVANGELICA JESUS DE NAZARET | GRANT TO EVANGELICAL CHURCH IN HUAYCOPUNGO ECUADOR FOR PURCHASE OF CHAIRS AND TABLES | $9,105 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Cynthia Wentworth – Executive Director (compensation: $113,136 as of 2023)
- Clara Butler – Director
- Barbara Butler – Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cynthia Wentworth | Executive Dir. | 25 | $100,539 |
| Clara Butler | Trustee | — | — |
| Barbara Butler | Trustee | — | — |
| Bonnie Bunning | Trustee | — | — |
| Marjorie Butler | Trustee | — | — |
| Jessie Bunning | Trustee | — | — |
| Caitlin Bunning | Trustee | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Butler Foundation fund?
The foundation primarily funds scholarships, conservation efforts, equipment purchases, and administrative operations. Its primary funding areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Health Care
How do I apply for a grant from The Butler Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical award range: $1,556–$150,000 • Median grant size: $17,400 • Average grant size: $26,200 **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 11 grants in 2023, including: • Chosen Vale Inc Enfield Shaker Museum: $30,146 (Cellar Window Restoration and La Salette Capital Campaign) • Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT): $25,250 (Appraisal for Potential Conservation Property) • Friends of Birdlife International: $23,620 (Inga Planting With Aves Y Conservacion and Travel Expenses…
Where does The Butler Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New Hampshire, Washington, and Vermont.
What size grants does The Butler Foundation award?
In 2024, The Butler Foundation awarded 9 grants totaling $538K — an average of about $60K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Butler Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Butler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $496K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Butler Foundation's EIN?
The Butler Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2701588. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.