The Charles Butt Foundation
The Charles Butt Foundation is a private foundation based in an individual recipient, Texas. It pursues a more equitable and prosperous future for Texans through education and community partnerships, supporting statewide education initiatives, research, and regional work with Texas communities.
The Charles Butt Foundation at a glance
In short: The Charles Butt Foundation gave $7.1M across 80 grants in 2024 (avg $89K), mostly in Texas. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,135,477
- -30.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 80
- -15.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $89,193
- -17.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $2,522,749
- +77.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (14 of 48, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (99% 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 The Charles Butt Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 200 E Basse Rd Ste 201, San Antonio, TX 78209-4490
Phone: (210) 462-9991
Website: https://charlesbuttfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Charles Butt Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Texas A&M San Antonio Foundation ($650K). Together the top 10 received $3.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 13 grants to individuals ($1,110,300), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
355 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 159 grants of 355 (45%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation works at both statewide and regional levels in Texas. In 2024, 99% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Texas and 1% to recipients in Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 80 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Charles Butt Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 48 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $59K; repeat grants $185K. How we count
Medians: $43K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $5.0M (2020) to $10.2M (2023). In 2024 it made 80 grants totaling $7.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M San Antonio Foundation San Antonio, TX | Educare Initiative | $650,000 |
| University of Texas - Austin Austin, TX | Scholarships | $468,000 |
| Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX | Scholarships | $406,000 |
| Alamo Colleges Foundation Inc San Antonio, TX | Alamopromise: Partnering to End Poverty | $300,000 |
| Sa Talent San Antonio, TX | Sa Works | $300,000 |
| Texas A&M - San Antonio San Antonio, TX | Early Matters | $300,000 |
| 6 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $1,059,000 |
| Texas A&M - College Station College Station, TX | Scholarships | $252,000 |
| Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute Dallas, TX | Elevate Bexar County/Data Connection | $250,000 |
| Up Partnership San Antonio, TX | Elevate Bexar County/Data Connection | $200,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Charles Butt Foundation?
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 | $2,522,749 | $17,474,590 | $16,376,879 | $7,135,477 | 80 | $16,219,602 | $16,251 | — |
| 2023 | $1,424,546 | $11,244,928 | $20,874,798 | $10,212,536 | 95 | $17,723,341 | $122,330 | — |
| 2022 | $11,068,686 | $26,036,047 | $20,545,653 | $8,409,276 | 107 | $20,421,725 | $3,669 | — |
| 2021 | $5,543,261 | $3,857,496 | $9,011,247 | $7,452,700 | 31 | $9,011,247 | $159 | $45,596 |
| 2020 | $5,776,978 | $5,019,926 | $6,486,818 | $5,006,904 | 42 | — | — | $428,974 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to pursue a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships. Its website identifies statewide programs, regional initiatives, research, and storytelling as ways it advances that mission. Statewide programs aim to pilot research-informed solutions to persistent education challenges that can be scaled and sustained beyond philanthropic investment.
The foundation’s 2024 filing describes direct charitable activities that include an individual recipient Teachers, which works to elevate the teaching profession, improve teacher preparation, and provide scholarships to aspiring teachers; a blended learning program that offers selected school district teams funding and technical assistance; and learning and impact work involving research, program evaluation, and public opinion polling.
Its 2024 grants included universities and education and community organizations. For example, the Texas A&M San Antonio Foundation received $650,000 for the Educare Initiative. The foundation’s stated mission is to provide financial support for Texas A&M University–an individual recipient students. The Alamo Colleges Foundation received $300,000 for AlamoPROMISE; it describes its mission as providing scholarships and other educational support to students in the Alamo Colleges. SA Talent received $300,000 for SA Works; it describes its mission as developing youth and adults for the talent needs of an individual recipient employers. Trinity University received $186,000 and describes its mission as excellence in teaching, research, and services. An individual recipient Report received $100,000; it describes its work as publishing a local online news source. Editorial Projects in Education received $100,000 and describes its mission as raising awareness and understanding of important issues in American education through journalism, research, and services.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 80 grants totaling $7,135,477. Grant amounts ranged from $1,864 to $650,000, with a median grant of $50,000. Other notable 2024 awards included $468,000 to the University of Texas at Austin and $406,000 to Texas Tech University for scholarships; $300,000 each to the Alamo Colleges Foundation for AlamoPROMISE and SA Talent for SA Works; and $250,000 to the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Elevate Bexar County/Data Connection.
The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers is for prospective teachers enrolled in, or planning to enter, an eligible teacher preparation program at a an individual recipient Teachers partner university. Applicants must commit to teaching in the Texas public school system in a Title 1 or majority economically disadvantaged school, or in a priority subject area. The scholarship page states that applications are currently closed. This scholarship is for individual participants, not an application route for outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Charles C. Butt as chairman, director, and member. Charles H. Clines was listed as CEO until January 2024, as well as treasurer and director. Christy Banazek was listed as CEO of the board effective January 2024. Shari Albright was listed as president and director until March 2024; Elizabeth Lorenz as secretary and director until August 2024; and Scott Mitchell as director until March 2024. Georgina Podjenski and Sarah Elizondo were also listed as directors.
The Charles Butt Foundation is led by Charles H. Clines - See Stmt, Chairman, Director, Member, CEO, Treasurer & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Charles H. Clines - See Stmt
Chairman, Director, Member, CEO, Treasurer & Director
President, Treasurer & Director → CEO, Treasurer & Director, 2022
CEO, Treasurer & Director → Chairman, Director, Member, CEO, Treasurer & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$45K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Christy Banazek
CEO of Board
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shari Albright
President & Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$458K (2022) → $441K (2024)
Elizabeth Lorenz
Secretary & Director
Vice President & Director → Secretary & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Georgina Podjenski
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Elizondo
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Mitchell
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Charles C. Butt (2020–2023) — Chairman, Director & Member
- Former: Judith A. Lindquist (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Debra Salge (2020) — Secretary & Director
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 $441K, to Shari Albright (President, Director (Until 03/24)).
Frequently asked questions about The Charles Butt Foundation
How much does The Charles Butt Foundation give each year?
The Charles Butt Foundation gave $7.1M across 80 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $10.2M across 95 grants.
What is The Charles Butt Foundation's typical grant size?
The Charles Butt Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $89,193, across 80 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Charles Butt Foundation that year got $59K on average.
Where does The Charles Butt Foundation give grants?
The Charles Butt Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Antonio, TX (24 grants), Austin, TX (6 grants), Houston, TX (6 grants) and Dallas, TX (5 grants).
Does The Charles Butt Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 11% of The Charles Butt Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 80) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (20 grants), "Scholarships Support" (18 grants) and "Texas Teachers Collaborative Grant" (8 grants).
Who are The Charles Butt Foundation's largest grantees?
The Charles Butt Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Texas A&M San Antonio Foundation ($650,000), University of Texas - Austin ($491,400 across 2 grants) and Texas Tech University ($424,500 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 13 grants to individuals ($1,110,300), which are not listed by name. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Charles Butt Foundation?
The Charles Butt Foundation reported $2.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $17.5M.
What does The Charles Butt Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to pursue a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans through education and community partnerships. Its website identifies statewide programs, regional initiatives, research, and storytelling as ways it advances that mission. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Charles Butt Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Charles Butt Foundation's EIN?
The Charles Butt Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 90-1548640. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Charles Butt Foundation 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Charles Butt Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Pryor Myra Stafford Char Tr
San Antonio, TX
The foundation makes unrestricted grants to organizations working in areas such as mental health, education, conservation, community safety, food access, and services for children and seniors, primarily in Texas. In 2025, grants ranged from $300 to $100,000, with a median of $24,785. It accepts requests by letter on the organization’s letterhead, signed by a board member, with information about the proposed use and supporting documents.
Assets
$28.9M
Grants
73
Total Given
$1.9M
Impetus Foundation
San Antonio, TX
Impetus Foundation supports organizations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed in education, work, and life, with grants spanning education, health, arts, homelessness services, and community programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,200 to $3 million, with a median of $25,000; 91% of grant dollars went to Texas, especially San Antonio. It does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations.
Assets
$296.6M
Grants
84
Total Given
$14.1M
Charitable Foundation Frost
San Antonio, TX
The foundation funds a broad range of charitable organizations and causes, with recent grants supporting education, economic and community development, youth programs, hunger relief, and affordable housing. In 2025, grants ranged from $3,603 to $1,865,000, with a median of $10,000; all reported grants went to Texas recipients, though the filing states no geographic restrictions. It accepts unsolicited requests submitted on the organization’s letterhead and signed by a board member or officer; there are no formal deadlines.
Assets
$11.0M
Grants
50
Total Given
$4.4M
Faye L & William L Cowden Charitable
San Antonio, TX
The foundation funds qualified Texas organizations working in children’s health and medical care, education for children and young adults, preventing cruelty to children or animals, and conserving wildlife and natural areas. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $20,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts written applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$11.5M
Grants
59
Total Given
$523K
80-20 Foundation
San Antonio, TX
The 80-20 Foundation supports public charities advancing San Antonio’s workforce, entrepreneurs, and quality of life, including programs in technology, youth development, arts and culture, and urban spaces. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $836,000, with a median grant of $25,000, and its giving is focused mainly on San Antonio. It accepts applications through an online grant application; no deadline is listed.
Assets
$4.1M
Grants
39
Total Given
$3.1M
Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable
San Antonio, TX
The foundation supports charitable, educational, and scientific work, with emphasis on the arts, private education, and medical research; its grants have also backed cultural, environmental, and human-services organizations. It focuses primarily on Texas, especially Bexar County, and its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $300,000, with a median of $15,000. It accepts no unsolicited requests and funds only preselected organizations.
Assets
$38.7M
Grants
60
Total Given
$2.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Charles Butt Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-charles-butt-foundation-morg_7b757e3eb2ae4cdfb79125ef63f4843d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_901548640_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Charles Butt Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-charles-butt-foundation-morg_7b757e3eb2ae4cdfb79125ef63f4843d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 The Charles Butt Foundation'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.
The Charles Butt Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?