The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler
The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler is a private foundation based in Great Neck, New York. In 2024, it reported 44 grants totaling $211,062, supporting organizations in areas including culture and medicine.
The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler at a glance
In short: The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler gave $211K across 44 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in New York. 16% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $211,062
- +48.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- +15.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $4,797
- +28.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $12,035,787
- +22.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (7 of 44, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (89% 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 Gilbert and Ildiko Butler
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 60 Cutter Mill Road 214, Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: (212) 303-0200
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Preservation League of New York State ($52K). Together the top 10 received $170K.
Grant Size Distribution
195 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 192 grants of 195 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 9% to recipients in Maine. Massachusetts, Idaho, and Maryland each accounted for 0% of grant dollars.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 44 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 80% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−19%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 50% 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 $118K (2022) to $262K (2021). In 2024 it made 44 grants totaling $211K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Preservation League of New York State Albany, NY | Cultural | $51,650 |
| The New York Society Library New York, NY | Cultural | $35,500 |
| The Frick Collection New York, NY | Cultural | $28,862 |
| American Academy in Rome New York, NY | Cultural | $10,000 |
| Beatrix Farrand Society Mount Desert, ME | Cultural | $10,000 |
| Chamber Music Society of Utica Utica, NY | Cultural | $10,000 |
| Friends of Upper East Side Historic Districts New York, NY | Cultural | $7,500 |
| Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, NY | Cultural | $6,000 |
| Metropolitan Opera New York, NY | Cultural | $5,500 |
| Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY | Medical | $5,000 |
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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 | $12,035,787 | $472,517 | $338,727 | $211,062 | 44 | $261,311 | $407,321 | $520,792 |
| 2023 | $9,833,782 | $147,347 | $238,969 | $141,710 | 38 | $196,830 | $322,132 | $448,733 |
| 2022 | $9,183,868 | $259,640 | $239,273 | $117,995 | 33 | $164,085 | $223,545 | $447,407 |
| 2021 | $8,841,832 | $560,498 | $416,168 | $261,869 | 50 | $277,047 | $348,759 | $320,682 |
| 2020 | $8,196,637 | $180,882 | $329,947 | $243,603 | 30 | — | $186,251 | $356,360 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler reported a distributable amount of $521K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included cultural and medical support. The Preservation League of New York State, the largest listed recipient, says it promotes historic preservation to revitalize neighborhoods and communities, honor heritage, and enrich lives. The Frick Collection says it operates an art museum and library for public inspiration and enjoyment and to advance the study of fine arts. The Beatrix Farrand Society says it educates the public in horticulture, particularly the life and work of Beatrix Farrand. The American Academy in Rome describes itself as a residential institute for advanced work in the arts and humanities.
Other 2024 recipients also describe their work in varied terms: the Metropolitan Museum of Art says it collects, studies, conserves, and presents art across times and cultures; Mount Desert Island Hospital says it provides compassionate care and strengthens community health; and Master Drawings Association says it promotes interest in art and art literature through a scholarly journal.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 44 grants totaling $211,062. Grants ranged from $250 to $51,650, with a median of $1,000. Its largest listed awards were $51,650 to the Preservation League of New York State, $35,500 to The New York Society Library, and $28,862 to The Frick Collection. Other listed grants included $10,000 each to the American Academy in Rome, the Beatrix Farrand Society, and the Chamber Music Society of Utica; and $5,000 each to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Mount Desert Island Hospital, and VNS Health.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gilbert Butler as president, treasurer, and director; Ildiko Butler, Emily Rafferty, Winthrop Rutherfurd Jresq, Melissa Tuckerman, Frederick J C Butler, Oliver Tuckerman, Laurence Birdsey, and Daphne Birdsey as directors; and Joseph Mancari as controller. Winthrop Rutherfurd Jresq is also listed as clerk.
The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler is led by Gilbert Butler, President, Treasurer & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 10 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gilbert Butler
President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Winthrop Rutherfurd Jresq
Director & Clerk
Director & Secretary → Director & Clerk, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Daphne Birdsey
Director
Director → Director & Grant Adviser, 2021
Director & Grant Adviser → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Rafferty
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ildiko Butler
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurence Birdsey
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Oliver Tuckerman
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frederick J. C. Butler
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Tuckerman
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Mancari
Controller
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Gregory Galgano (2020–2022) — Comptroller & Chief Administrator Officer · Filing note: Resigned 3-11-22
- Former: Joesph Mancari (2021) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Fred Butler (2020) — Director
- Former: Joe Mancari (2020) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Melissa Butler (2020) — 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 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $1K, to Winthrop Rutherfurd Jresq (Director/Clerk).
Frequently asked questions about The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler
How much does The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler give each year?
The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler gave $211K across 44 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $142K across 38 grants.
What is The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler's typical grant size?
The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $4,797, across 44 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler that year got $3K on average.
Where does The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler give grants?
The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler gives mostly in New York: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maine (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (19 grants), Utica, NY (4 grants), Northeast Harbor, ME (4 grants) and Mount Desert, ME (2 grants).
Does The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 44 grants with a stated purpose on The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Cultural" (20 grants), "Social Welfare" (8 grants) and "Medical" (8 grants).
Who are The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler's largest grantees?
The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler's largest 2024 grantees include Preservation League of New York State ($51,650), The New York Society Library ($35,500) and The Frick Collection ($28,862), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler?
The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler reported $12.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $261K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $521K (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 The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included cultural and medical support. The Preservation League of New York State, the largest listed recipient, says it promotes historic preservation to revitalize neighborhoods and communities, honor heritage, and enrich lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler?
The foundation 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 Gilbert and Ildiko Butler's EIN?
The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0141384. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-gilbert-and-ildiko-butler-morg_da07f8be140643cc8d148378301ea6cd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_270141384_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Gilbert and Ildiko Butler funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-gilbert-and-ildiko-butler-morg_da07f8be140643cc8d148378301ea6cd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Gilbert and Ildiko Butler'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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