The Butler Family Foundation concentrates its giving into a small number of large awards that favor cultural institutions and local education/youth services. A substantial portion of grants support performing and visual arts — including multi-hundred-thousand dollar gifts to marquee organizations — while other major commitments fund higher education in Dubuque and direct youth programming in the foundation’s hometown. One very large payment to a donor-advised fund indicates the foundation sometimes routes philanthropic capital through donor-advised vehicles rather than granting directly.
A $2.85 million transfer to Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund stands out in The Butler Family Foundation’s recent record and shows that the foundation sometimes routes philanthropic capital through donor-advised vehicles rather than only making direct operating grants. Alongside that large transfer, the foundation has also backed major cultural institutions and Dubuque-based education and youth services with substantial awards. Lyric Opera of Chicago received two of the largest recent gifts, including $500,500 in 2023 and $500,000 in 2024, for opera programming. In Dubuque, the foundation has supported the University of Dubuque, the Dubuque Museum of Art, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque with meaningful six-figure grants. The pattern points to a funder that mixes institution-level support with community-based giving, especially where arts, higher education, and youth programming overlap. The grant list also includes charter-school, public-policy, health-care, and preservation grantees, but the clearest throughline is a willingness to make both large anchor gifts and smaller targeted awards across a relatively compact regional footprint.
Arts funding is a core part of the foundation’s portfolio. Lyric Opera of Chicago received $500,000 in 2024 for “express and promote great opera,” while the Dubuque Museum of Art received $392,000 in 2024 for visual arts. Education support appears in several forms. The University of Dubuque received $565,147 in 2023 for university education and another $102,000 in 2024 for landscaping, memorial funds, and a student scholarship fund. The foundation also backed Clarke University and Loras College with scholarship- and undergraduate-focused gifts. Youth programming is another visible thread. Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque received $200,000 in 2024 to provide programs to Dubuque area youth, and the Dubuque Dream Center received grants in both 2023 and 2024 for student and youth services. Charter-school funding appears through Noble Network of Charter Schools, Noble Schools, and the Illinois Network of Charter Schools.
The Butler Family Foundation’s typical grant size is modest relative to its largest awards: p25 is $1,000, median is $5,000, and p75 is $15,000. That distribution sits alongside a grantmaking record that includes both small awards and outlier commitments in the hundreds of thousands, plus a very large donor-advised-fund transfer. The recent list also shows repeat support to several recipients across multiple years, including Lyric Opera of Chicago, the University of Dubuque, Clarke University, Loras College, Mayo Foundation, Telluride Foundation, Dubuque Dream Center, Illinois Network of Charter Schools, American Enterprise Institute, and Liberty Justice Center. The foundation funds individuals, and its giving includes program support, scholarships, capital-related support, and event or institutional funding.
$2.4M
$37.9M
$2.7M
$2.8M
Most grants fall between $1K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Very concentrated giving: small number of very large grants, mix of signature gifts to major cultural institutions and targeted local investments; occasionally channels funds through a donor-advised fund rather than direct grants. Some repeat funding to the same arts organization.
Notable grantees: Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund, Lyric Opera of Chicago, University of Dubuque, Dubuque Museum of Art, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque
Grants are overwhelmingly U.S.-based, and 54% of grants go to recipients in Iowa. Dubuque is the clearest local hub, with awards to the University of Dubuque, Dubuque Museum of Art, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque, Dubuque Dream Center, Clarke University, and Loras College. Chicago is another major recipient city through Lyric Opera of Chicago, Noble Network of Charter Schools, Noble Schools, Illinois Network of Charter Schools, and Liberty Justice Center. Other recipient locations include Washington, DC; Rochester, Minnesota; Babson Park, Massachusetts; Telluride, Colorado; and Austin, Texas.
The recent grants show a strong concentration in arts, education, and youth services. Examples include Lyric Opera of Chicago for opera programming, the University of Dubuque for university education and scholarship support, and Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque for youth programming.
Its typical grant size is relatively small: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. At the same time, the recent record includes much larger gifts, including a $2.85 million transfer to Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Lyric Opera of Chicago, the University of Dubuque, Clarke University, Loras College, Mayo Foundation, Telluride Foundation, Dubuque Dream Center, Illinois Network of Charter Schools, American Enterprise Institute, and Liberty Justice Center.
Iowa is the top recipient state by grant count, with 54% of grants going to recipients in the state. Dubuque appears repeatedly in the recent grant list through education, arts, and youth-serving organizations.
Yes. The foundation’s profile indicates that it funds individuals, alongside grants to universities, arts organizations, charter-school networks, health-related institutions, and community nonprofits.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART | DUBUQUE, IA | $1,062,365 | 2026 | VISUAL ARTS MATCHING PLEDGE |
| LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $500,000 | 2026 | SPONSOR SHIP OF MAESTRO ENRIQUE MAZZOLA |
| DUBUQUE COMMUNITY YMCA | DUBUQUE, IA | $355,866 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ILLINOIS NETWORK OF CHARTER SCHOOLS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | CHARTER SCHOOL EDUCATION |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| DUBUQUE DREAM CENTER | DUBUQUE, IA | $26,000 | 2026 | SUSTAINING SERVICES FOR SEVEN STUDENTS |
| LIBERTY JUSTICE CENTER | AUSTIN, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT ATTORNEYS AS THEY WORK TO FIGHT GOVERNMENT OVERREACH AND PROTECT AMERICANS' RIGHTS |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THEIR CONTINUING DEFENSE OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LIBERTIES IT GUARANTEES FOR ALL AMERICANS |
| NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND CELEBRATE HISTORIC PLACES |
| BABSON COLLEGE | BABSON PARK, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | JOHN E AND ALICE L BUTLER LAUNCH PAD |
| JUDICIAL WATCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | FIGHT GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION |
| MAYO FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | PATIENT CARE, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION |
| CLARKE UNIVERSITY | DUBUQUE, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | CLARKE FUND |
| THE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | ARLINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | IDENTIFY, RECRUIT, TRAIN, AND PLACE THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATIVE LEADERS |
| FRIENDS OF HOMACHO | DUBUQUE, IA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE WATER, FLOORS FOR SCHOOLS, AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AROUND THE VILLAGE OF HOMACHO, ETHIOPIA |
| DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART | DUBUQUE, IA | $12,000 | 2026 | VISUAL ARTS |
| LITTLE HEROES LEAGUE | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE FREE, LIFE-CHANGING CARE COORDINATION FOR MEDICALLY COMPLEX BABIES, ENSURING BETTER OUTCOMES AND ASSISTING WITH THE TRANSITION FROM HOSPITAL TO HOME |
| WELLESLEY COLLEGE | WELLESLEY, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | THE WELLESLEY FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE | DUBUQUE, IA | $10,000 | 2026 | MOMENTUM CAMPAIGN |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNIVERSITY EDUCATION |
| DUBUQUE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | DUBUQUE, IA | $6,956 | 2026 | SPONSOR CLASSICS 1 CONCERT AND GUEST ARTIST |
| THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE | DUBUQUE, IA | $6,500 | 2026 | PERFORMING ARTS |
| UNION LEAGUE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS | CHICAGO, IL | $6,000 | 2026 | YOUTH SERVICES ACROSS CHICAGO |
| SCOUTING AMERICA - NORTHEAST IOWA COUNCIL #178 | DUBUQUE, IA | $5,500 | 2026 | FRIENDS OF SCOUTING ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| DUBUQUE RESCUE MISSION | DUBUQUE, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | HOMELESS SHELTER |
| DUBUQUE COMMUNITY YMCA | DUBUQUE, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM |
| CAMP ALBRECHT ACRES | SHERRILL, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | SPECIAL POPULATION SUPPORT |
| CATO INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | TO LEAVE FUTURE GENERATIONS A FREER AND MORE PROSPEROUS WORLD |
| HILLS AND DALE'S CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER | DUBUQUE, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | EFFORTS TO BUILD A NEW COMMUNITY HOME FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND COMPLEX BEHAVIORAL OR MEDICAL NEEDS |
| TWO BY TWO CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT | DUBUQUE, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | TEACHING CHILDREN SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS TO SUCCEED IN WORK |
| LAUREL SCHOOL | SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION |
| HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES | DUBUQUE, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | BRAIN HEALTH CAMPAIGN |
| CENTRALLY ROOTED MISSION INC | DUBUQUE, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE A SAFE AND NOURISHED SPACE FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION THAT IS AVAILABLE TO ALL, REGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS. |
| MERCYONE DUBUQUE FOUNDATION | DUBUQUE, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR ONGOING PROGRAM COSTS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDS |
| FINLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION | DUBUQUE, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | FAMILY BIRTHING SUITES C-SECTION SUITE PROJECT |
| DUBUQUE CITY YOUTH BALLET | DUBUQUE, IA | $4,375 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP FOR FIVE DANCERS |
| AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE | DUBUQUE, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CARE FOR THEIR PATIENTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $2,500 | 2026 | WHARTON FUND |
| NORTHEAST IOWA SCHOOL OF MUSIC | DUBUQUE, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO MAKE MUSIC EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE |
| FOUR MOUNDS FOUNDATION | DUBUQUE, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | PRESERVE, EDUCATE, AND SERVE |
| DUBUQUE REGIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY | DUBUQUE, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF ALL ANIMALS |
| BETHANY HOME | DUBUQUE, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE TO RESIDENTS |
| DUBUQUE ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS | DUBUQUE, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | SPONSORSHIP OF MUSIC IN THE GARDENS CONCERTS |
| DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | DUBUQUE, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | NATIONAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM AND AQUARIUM |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2026 | ENRICHING, INSPIRING AND TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH MUSIC |
| STONEHILL BENEVOLENT FOUNDATION | DUBUQUE, IA | $2,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE MINISTRIES OF STONEHILL COMMUNITIES |
| BRYN MAWR COLLEGE | BRYN MAWR, PA | $2,500 | 2026 | THE BRYN MAWR FUND |
| DUBUQUE ARTS COUNCIL | DUBUQUE, IA | $1,600 | 2026 | EDUCATING AND ENTERTAINING PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOSPICE OF DUBUQUE | DUBUQUE, IA | $1,500 | 2026 | PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE CARE FOR THE SERIOUSLY ILL AND THEIR LOVED ONES |
| LEGION-AIRES DRUM & BUGLE CORPS INC | DUBUQUE, IA | $1,000 | 2026 | COLTS YOUTH ORGANIZATION - COLTS DRUM & BUGLE CORPS |
SUPPORT ATTORNEYS AS THEY WORK TO FIGHT GOVERNMENT OVERREACH AND PROTECT AMERICANS' RIGHTS
SUPPORT THEIR CONTINUING DEFENSE OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LIBERTIES IT GUARANTEES FOR ALL AMERICANS
PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND CELEBRATE HISTORIC PLACES
MAYO FOUNDATION
$25,000PATIENT CARE, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
IDENTIFY, RECRUIT, TRAIN, AND PLACE THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATIVE LEADERS
FRIENDS OF HOMACHO
$15,000PROVIDE WATER, FLOORS FOR SCHOOLS, AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AROUND THE VILLAGE OF HOMACHO, ETHIOPIA
PROVIDE FREE, LIFE-CHANGING CARE COORDINATION FOR MEDICALLY COMPLEX BABIES, ENSURING BETTER OUTCOMES AND ASSISTING WITH THE TRANSITION FROM HOSPITAL TO HOME
WELLESLEY COLLEGE
$10,000THE WELLESLEY FUND
UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE
$10,000MOMENTUM CAMPAIGN
THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE
$6,500PERFORMING ARTS
SCOUTING AMERICA - NORTHEAST IOWA COUNCIL #178
$5,500FRIENDS OF SCOUTING ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
DUBUQUE RESCUE MISSION
$5,000HOMELESS SHELTER
CAMP ALBRECHT ACRES
$5,000SPECIAL POPULATION SUPPORT
HILLS AND DALE'S CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
$5,000EFFORTS TO BUILD A NEW COMMUNITY HOME FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND COMPLEX BEHAVIORAL OR MEDICAL NEEDS
TEACHING CHILDREN SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS TO SUCCEED IN WORK
LAUREL SCHOOL
$5,000ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES
$5,000BRAIN HEALTH CAMPAIGN
CENTRALLY ROOTED MISSION INC
$5,000PROVIDE A SAFE AND NOURISHED SPACE FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION THAT IS AVAILABLE TO ALL, REGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.
FINLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION
$5,000FAMILY BIRTHING SUITES C-SECTION SUITE PROJECT
DUBUQUE CITY YOUTH BALLET
$4,375SCHOLARSHIP FOR FIVE DANCERS
AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE
$2,500PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CARE FOR THEIR PATIENTS
NORTHEAST IOWA SCHOOL OF MUSIC
$2,500TO MAKE MUSIC EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE
FOUR MOUNDS FOUNDATION
$2,500PRESERVE, EDUCATE, AND SERVE
DUBUQUE REGIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY
$2,500PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF ALL ANIMALS
BETHANY HOME
$2,500PROVIDE NURSING HOME CARE TO RESIDENTS
DUBUQUE ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS
$2,500SPONSORSHIP OF MUSIC IN THE GARDENS CONCERTS
NATIONAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM AND AQUARIUM
ENRICHING, INSPIRING AND TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH MUSIC
STONEHILL BENEVOLENT FOUNDATION
$2,500SUPPORT THE MINISTRIES OF STONEHILL COMMUNITIES
DUBUQUE ARTS COUNCIL
$1,600EDUCATING AND ENTERTAINING PROGRAM SUPPORT
PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE CARE FOR THE SERIOUSLY ILL AND THEIR LOVED ONES
LEGION-AIRES DRUM & BUGLE CORPS INC
$1,000COLTS YOUTH ORGANIZATION - COLTS DRUM & BUGLE CORPS