Butler Family Foundation Community Grant

The Butler Family Foundation Community Grant provides two-year funding to 501(c)(3) organizations in Minnesota focused on arts, environment, and human services. Grants support general operations or specific projects, with minimum awards of $30,000 for operating costs and $20,000 for program support. Priority is given to organizations serving urban areas of St. Paul and Minneapolis, promoting community arts, environmental stewardship, and essential services for vulnerable populations, particularly youth and families.

Note: Because we award two-year grants, our funding priorities alternate annually. In 2026, we will award Community Grants in arts and environment.
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation
The Butler Family Foundation seeks to foster safety, opportunity, and growth for individuals and families by supporting effective nonprofit organizations in the arts, environment, and human services.
Community Grants
The Butler Family Foundation's Community Grants Program awards two-year grants for general operating support or for specific projects and programs. Organizations applying for grants in the arts or human services must work in the urban cores of Saint Paul or Minneapolis or in the East Metropolitan suburbs. Organizations applying for grants in the environment may work anywhere in Minnesota.

Eligibility

What does the Butler Family Foundation support through the Community Grants Program?We fund 501(c)(3) organizations working in the following fields:ArtsButler Family Foundation general operating and program grants support arts organizations and programs that provide creative, transformative opportunities to Twin Cities and East Metro communities.Youth ArtsInvestments in arts organizations and youth development programs that nurture young people's talents, creativity, and leadership.Community ArtsInvestments in neighborhood-based arts organizations that harness the strengths, creativity, and cultural vibrancy of their communities.EnvironmentWe seek to promote the responsible stewardship of land and water resources in Minnesota by funding programs in land protection and sustainable land use; water quality protection and improvement; and efforts which integrate land and water protection strategies. We seek to educate Minnesota's young people about the importance of land and water resources by funding educational programs that focus on land protection, sustainable land use, and water quality protection and improvement.Human ServicesWe support efforts to assist the most vulnerable members of our community, especially women and children, by funding programs in the following fields: Housing and services for adults, families, and youth who are homeless or who lack safe, stable, and affordable housing Residential and community support for those with chemical addictions Prevention and intervention services for those experiencing domestic and family violence Holistic intervention and rehabilitative services for prostituted people and those at risk of sexual exploitationWhat types of support are available through Community Grants?We award two-year Community Grants for either general operating support or program support. Minimum grant sizes are $30,000 per year for general operating support and $20,000 per year for program support.Who is eligible to apply?Community Grants are open to 501(c)(3) organizations working in our three priority areas.Organizations applying for grants in the arts or human services must work in the urban cores of St. Paul or Minneapolis or in the East Metropolitan suburbs. Organizations applying for grants in the environment may work anywhere in Minnesota.Community Grant applicants must have annual budgets of at least $300,000. If applying for program support, that program must also have an annual budget of at least $80,000. Because of our emphasis on building ongoing relationships with grantees, we award grants to only a limited number of new organizations each year.

Ineligibility

The Foundation is unlikely to support organizations and programs that primarily provide access to field trips, exhibitions, and performances.