Butler Foundation Charity Grant

The Butler Foundation Charity Grant aims to alleviate poverty in Northern Kentucky by funding programs that emphasize individual dignity, employment, self-sufficiency, and education. With over $1.9 million invested in 2024 alone, the Foundation seeks to create long-term, positive outcomes through catalytic and impactful grants. Priorities include support for local charities addressing basic needs such as shelter, food, and education. The Foundation encourages collaborative efforts and challenge grants to maximize community resources.

The Butler Foundation was originally named for Bill Butler’s father, Robert M. Butler, whose legacy lives on in his family and in the Foundation’s charitable work. Bill and Sue Butler established the Foundation to give back to the Northern Kentucky community, and to inspire others to do likewise.
We look to achieve CATALYTIC IMPACT by funding programs and organizations that align with our Mission and Grant Priorities. Poverty — whether generational or situational – is a complicated problem with many causes. Too often the services provided by direct service charities offer only temporary relief, rather than long-term solutions. Our board of directors looks for organizations that take a long-term approach to addressing the complexities of poverty. Generally, these are organizations that take a more personalized approach and “dive deep” to help people in need — as opposed to charities that “go broad” with their services in order to touch as many people as possible in a given year.
In 2024, The Butler Foundation invested over $1.9 million in education, hardship relief, and charitable support. We consider each grant an investment in our neighbors and our community, so we strive to make it CATALYTIC and IMPACTFUL. CATALYTIC grants accelerate action and positive change. One example would be a matching grant opportunity that inspires others to give. We issue dollar-for-dollar challenge grants when we think they can leverage new and increased donations for the charities we support.IMPACTFUL grants drive significant, long-term outcomes. One example would be a multi-year grant that helps a charity plan ahead, scale up an effective program, or launch a new service to meet a community need.
For our Butler Foundation Charity Grants, priority consideration goes to programs and organizations that promote:

• Individual dignity
• Gainful employment
• Self-sufficiencyEducation and life-long learningLong-term, positive outcomesEfficient leveraging of resources (challenge grants, collaborations, etc.)

Typical Charity Grants include start-up funding, operating support, or program support for local charities that meet basic needs, such as shelter, food, clothing, education, legal representation, rehabilitation, therapy, substance abuse counseling, and/or child abuse prevention services.
Multi-year grants and challenge grants may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility

We fund public charities based in or serving financially disadvantaged residents of Northern Kentucky.

Ineligibility

The Butler Foundation does not fund event sponsorships or completed projects. Our board does not prioritize capital projects or endowment requests, but may consider these on a case-by-case basis.