Butler Family Foundation
Accepts applications
Butler Family Foundation is a private foundation in Lake Forest, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.8 million in 63 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $451,650. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.8 million
- Number of grants63
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$451,650
- Assets$36.2 million
- New grantees30%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.6 million the year before.
30% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.0 million | 55 | $32.6 million |
| 2024 | $1.6 million | 65 | $35.2 million |
| 2025 | $1.8 million | 63 | $36.2 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Karen B Connell 825 S Waukegan Rd Suite A8 PMB 218, Lake Forest, IL 60045 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (917) 601-9652 |
| What to submit | There are no standard application forms. A letter requesting a contribution is sufficient. |
| Deadlines | There are no submission deadlines. |
| Restrictions | Organizations must be educational, religious, or charitable as defined under irc section 170(c). |
What Butler Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 15 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 28 | $761,025 |
| New York | 5 | $526,650 |
| Maine | 1 | $158,333 |
| Arizona | 10 | $120,000 |
| Massachusetts | 5 | $83,000 |
| Kansas | 1 | $30,000 |
| New Mexico | 1 | $25,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $25,000 |
| Connecticut | 3 | $23,000 |
| Indiana | 2 | $20,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Inc - Metro Ny Region Now Blood Care United | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $451,650 |
| Ravinia Festival Association | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $160,000 |
| Jackson Laboratory | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $158,333 |
| The Church of the Holy Spirit | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $156,500 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $116,000 |
| Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Assoc | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $54,025 |
| Brooks School | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $38,000 |
| Colgate University | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $30,000 |
| Make A Wish Foundation of America | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $30,000 |
| Southwestern Heights High School | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $30,000 |
| Groton School | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $25,000 |
| Phoenix Symphony Association | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $25,000 |
| Way of the Rain Inc | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $25,000 |
| Villanova University | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $25,000 |
| Elawa Farm Foundation | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $24,000 |
| American National Red Cross | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $20,000 |
| American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $20,000 |
| Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $20,000 |
| Caney Creek Community Center - Alice Lloyd College | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $20,000 |
| The Posse Foundation Inc - Chicago | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $20,000 |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $15,000 |
| Family Action Network | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $15,000 |
| Lake Forest College | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $15,000 |
| Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Inc - NYC Chapter | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $15,000 |
| The Salvation Army - Metropolitan Division | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $15,000 |
| Trustees of Westminster School Inc | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $15,000 |
| Lake Forest Open Lands Association | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $13,000 |
| Field Musuem of Natural History | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $12,500 |
| Arizona Arts Circle LTD | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
| Blessed Stephen Bellesini Osa Academy Inc | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
| Child Crisis Arizona | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
| Glenwood Academy | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
| Christ Church of the Ascension | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
| International Chamber Artists | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
| Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art Inc | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
| Northern Illinois Food Bank | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
| Fourth Presbyterian Church | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
| Lake County Haven | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
| St Stephen S & St Agnes Schoold Foundation | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
| Mothers Tr Foundation | General charitable, religious, educational or scientific purpose of the donee organization | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Karen B Connell
- Elizabeth B Pruett
- Kay S Butler
Questions people ask
Does Butler Family Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: There are no submission deadlines..
How much does Butler Family Foundation give?
$1.8 million in tax year 2025, across 63 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Butler Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Karen B Connell (Trustee), Elizabeth B Pruett (Trustee) and Kay S Butler (Trustee).
What does Butler Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, faith communities and science and research.