The Butler Foundation concentrates its giving locally in Northern Kentucky/Covington with a strong emphasis on Catholic K–12 and higher education scholarship support alongside neighborhood basic‑needs and human services. Grants frequently fund operating and program support for social service providers (food, shelter, refugee assistance, health screening) and community institutions rather than national advocacy. The foundation shows preference for repeat, multi‑year relationships with regional schools, colleges, and longstanding community nonprofits.
A defining part of The Butler Foundation’s giving is its scholarship pipeline for Northern Kentucky students, with renewable awards that can extend up to four years. That education work sits alongside support for Catholic secondary schools and local college scholarship funds, showing a steady interest in tuition assistance from high school through postsecondary study. In the recent grants list, Northern Ky University Foundation received $127,500 in 2023 and $110,000 in 2024 for scholarship support, while Covington Catholic High School received $49,609 in 2023 for scholarship support. The pattern is not limited to education. The foundation also backs community providers that help residents with hardship, health access, and basic needs, including Samaritan Car Care Clinic Inc. for program support and Society of St Vincent Depaul-NKY for program and operating support. Grants to Catholic schools such as Holy Cross High School, Newport Central Catholic High School, and Notre Dame Academy show a repeated relationship with Northern Kentucky’s school network. Individual aid is part of the mix as well, through scholarship and hardship grant programs for local students and low-income residents.
Education is one of the clearest themes in The Butler Foundation’s recent grantmaking. Northern Ky University Foundation received $127,500 in 2023 and $110,000 in 2024 for scholarship support, and Gateway Community & Technical College appears in the foundation’s broader scholarship focus for local students. Catholic K–12 tuition aid is another visible strand: Alliance for Catholic Urban Educat received $50,000 for tuition assistance in 2023 and again in 2024. Beyond schooling, the foundation funds basic-needs infrastructure. Society of St Vincent Depaul-NKY received $112,500 in 2023 and $88,353 in 2023 for program and operating support. Health-related support also appears through Samaritan Car Care Clinic Inc., which received $150,000 in 2023 for program support. Refugee and immigrant family support is part of the portfolio as well, including Associacion Sol Y Luna, which received $39,800 in 2023 for program support and $31,400 in 2024 for operating and program support.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $10,000, with a lower quartile of $3,418 and an upper quartile of $24,521. The recent grants list shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, especially in scholarship and operating support, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. The foundation uses several grant modes: program support, operating support, combined operating and program support, tuition assistance, scholarship support, and direct aid through individual-focused scholarship and hardship programs. It also accepts unsolicited requests for its Charity Grants program, while Butler Scholar Grants and Butler Scholars Program are awarded through schools and partner institutions rather than open applications.
$135K
$13.5M
$230K
$230K
Most grants fall between $3K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 85% of grants go to recipients in KY.
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Concentrated, locally focused grantmaking with many repeat grants to core regional partners; a mix of mid‑sized to modest awards (frequently $25k–$275k) aimed at scholarships and operating/program support rather than one‑off capital campaigns or national grantmaking.
Notable grantees: Northern Kentucky University Foundation, Alliance for Catholic Urban Education / regional Catholic high schools (Holy Cross, Newport Central Catholic, Covington Catholic), Society of St. Vincent de Paul – NKY, Samaritan Car Care Clinic, Inc., Kentucky Refugee Ministries
The Butler Foundation’s giving is concentrated in Kentucky, with 85% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Northern Kentucky cities account for many awards, including Covington, Highland Heights, Crescent Springs, and Newport. Examples from the recent grants list include Samaritan Car Care Clinic Inc. in Covington, Northern Ky University Foundation in Highland Heights, and Society of St Vincent Depaul-NKY in Crescent Springs. Most grants stay close to home, but the list also includes United Way of Greater Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. All recipient grants in the provided distribution are in the United States.
The foundation funds public charities serving financially disadvantaged residents of Northern Kentucky, with priority for programs that promote dignity, gainful employment, self-sufficiency, education, long-term outcomes, and efficient use of resources. Recent grants also show support for schools, colleges, basic-needs providers, health-related services, and refugee and immigrant family support.
Yes. Scholarship support is a major part of its giving. Recent grants include $127,500 and $110,000 to Northern Ky University Foundation for scholarship support, as well as scholarship support to Catholic high schools and tuition assistance to Alliance for Catholic Urban Educat.
Typical grant size is $10,000 at the median, with a lower quartile of $3,418 and an upper quartile of $24,521. The recent grants list shows both smaller awards and larger commitments for scholarship and program support.
For Charity Grants, yes: the program accepts unsolicited requests from public charities in or serving financially disadvantaged residents of Northern Kentucky. Butler Scholar Grants and Butler Scholars Program are not open unsolicited applications; they are awarded through select high schools and partner postsecondary institutions.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeat support across multiple years for several recipients, including Northern Ky University Foundation, Society of St Vincent Depaul-NKY, Samaritan Car Care Clinic Inc., and the Catholic school network. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PHILANTHROPY ROUNDTABLE | WASHIGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TATTOO REMOVAL INK | COVINGTON, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST ELIZABETH PHYSICIANS | COVINGTON, KY | $8,036 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL - NKY | COVINGTON, KY | $5,568 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PEOPLE WORKING COOPERATIVELY | CINCINNATI, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DCCH CENTER FOR CHILDREN | COVINGTON, KY | $3,740 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEW PORT INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS | NEWPORT, KY | $3,455 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DAYTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS | DAYTON, KY | $3,290 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TEAM KENTON FOUNDATION | FT WRIGHT, KY | $2,990 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOLY CROSS CHURCH | COLUMBUS, OH | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BELLEVUE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS | BELLEVUE, KY | $2,499 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HENRY HOSEA HOUSE | NEWPORT, KY | $2,417 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHNK BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | COVINGTON, KY | $2,195 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MOTHER OF GOD PARISH | COVINGTON, KY | $1,250 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHRUCH OF OUR SAVIOR PARISH | COVINGTON, KY | $1,250 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF THE ASSUMPTION | COVINGTON, KY | $1,250 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOLY SPIRIT PARISH | NWEPORT, KY | $1,250 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST BENEDICT PARISH | COVINGTON, KY | $1,250 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BRIGHTON CENTER | NEWPORT, KY | $1,131 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WELCOME HOUSE | COVINGTON, KY | $586 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHKEY COMMUNITY CARE | THOMAS, KY | $584 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN KY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY | $110,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| SAMARITAN CAR CARE CLINIC INC | COVINGTON, KY | $101,535 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LIFE LEARNING CENTER | COVINGTON, KY | $50,000 | 2024 | OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ALLIANCE FOR CATHOLIC URBAN EDUCAT | COVINGTON, KY | $50,000 | 2024 | TUITION ASSISTANCE |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $50,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOO | NEWPORT, KY | $45,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL | COVINGTON, KY | $45,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DEPAUL-NKY | CRESCENT SPRINGS, KY | $36,944 | 2024 | PROGRAM & OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NOTRE DAME ACADEMY | COVINGTON, KY | $35,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| COVINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | COVINGTON, KY | $35,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| ASSOCIACION SOL Y LUNA | CUSCO PERU, KY | $31,400 | 2024 | OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BE CONCERNED | COVINGTON, KY | $30,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOLLAND FOUNDATION FOR SIGHT RESTORATION | ERLANGER, KY | $25,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UPSPRING | CINCINNATI, OH | $25,000 | 2024 | OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| EMERGENCY SHELTER OF NORTHERN KY | COVINGTON, KY | $25,000 | 2024 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KENTUCKY REFUGEE MINISTRIES | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GATEWAY COMM & TECH COLLEGE | FLORENCE, KY | $24,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| THOMAS MORE UNIVERSITY | CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY | $21,875 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| HENRY HOSEA HOUSE | NEWPORT, KY | $21,500 | 2024 | OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DCCH CENTER FOR CHILDREN | COVINGTON, KY | $20,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GR CINCINNATI | CINCINNATI, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHRIS COLLINSWORTH PROSCAN FUND | CINCINNATI, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FAITH COMMUNITY PHARMACY | FLORENCE, KY | $20,000 | 2024 | OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MASTER PROVISIONS | FLORENCE, KY | $20,000 | 2024 | OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WELCOME HOUSE | COVINGTON, KY | $15,100 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BAND IN A BUS | CINCINNATI, OH | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KENTUCKY SENIOR CITIZENS APARTMENTS | COVINGTON, KY | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST PHILIP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MELBOURNE, KY | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
UNITED WAY OF GREATER CINCINNATI
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PHILANTHROPY ROUNDTABLE
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
TATTOO REMOVAL INK
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST ELIZABETH PHYSICIANS
$8,036PROGRAM SUPPORT
SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL - NKY
$5,568PROGRAM SUPPORT
PEOPLE WORKING COOPERATIVELY
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
DCCH CENTER FOR CHILDREN
$3,740PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEW PORT INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
$3,455PROGRAM SUPPORT
DAYTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
$3,290PROGRAM SUPPORT
TEAM KENTON FOUNDATION
$2,990PROGRAM SUPPORT
HOLY CROSS CHURCH
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
BELLEVUE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
$2,499PROGRAM SUPPORT
HENRY HOSEA HOUSE
$2,417PROGRAM SUPPORT
CHNK BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
$2,195PROGRAM SUPPORT
MOTHER OF GOD PARISH
$1,250PROGRAM SUPPORT
CHRUCH OF OUR SAVIOR PARISH
$1,250PROGRAM SUPPORT
CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF THE ASSUMPTION
$1,250PROGRAM SUPPORT
HOLY SPIRIT PARISH
$1,250PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST BENEDICT PARISH
$1,250PROGRAM SUPPORT
BRIGHTON CENTER
$1,131PROGRAM SUPPORT
WELCOME HOUSE
$586PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTHKEY COMMUNITY CARE
$584PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTHERN KY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$110,000SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
SAMARITAN CAR CARE CLINIC INC
$101,535PROGRAM SUPPORT
LIFE LEARNING CENTER
$50,000OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT
ALLIANCE FOR CATHOLIC URBAN EDUCAT
$50,000TUITION ASSISTANCE
UNITED WAY OF GREATER CINCINNATI
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOO
$45,000SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL
$45,000SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DEPAUL-NKY
$36,944PROGRAM & OPERATING SUPPORT
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY
$35,000SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
COVINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$35,000SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
ASSOCIACION SOL Y LUNA
$31,400OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT
BE CONCERNED
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
HOLLAND FOUNDATION FOR SIGHT RESTORATION
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
UPSPRING
$25,000OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT
EMERGENCY SHELTER OF NORTHERN KY
$25,000OPERATING SUPPORT
KENTUCKY REFUGEE MINISTRIES
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GATEWAY COMM & TECH COLLEGE
$24,500SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
THOMAS MORE UNIVERSITY
$21,875SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
HENRY HOSEA HOUSE
$21,500OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT
DCCH CENTER FOR CHILDREN
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GR CINCINNATI
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CHRIS COLLINSWORTH PROSCAN FUND
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FAITH COMMUNITY PHARMACY
$20,000OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT
MASTER PROVISIONS
$20,000OPERATING & PROGRAM SUPPORT
WELCOME HOUSE
$15,100PROGRAM SUPPORT
BAND IN A BUS
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
KENTUCKY SENIOR CITIZENS APARTMENTS
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST PHILIP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Butler Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Requests must be submitted by one of the Foundation’s charity referral partners. Assistance is last resort, one-time only per individual/family, and intended for low-income people with a short-term crisis or essential need.
Deadline: Considered year-round; requests typically receive a response within one business day.
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