The Butler Foundation appears to make a small number of relatively large, targeted grants focused on conservation and community infrastructure in Ecuador and capital-equipment support for biomedical research in Massachusetts. They fund land acquisition/expansion and basic services overseas (e.g., reserve expansion and a village sewage plant) alongside strategic investments in scientific capacity (purchase of a DNA sequencer). Giving is project-specific and capital-focused rather than general operating support.
The Butler Foundation C/o Cynthia Wentworth Exec Dir’s largest recent grant went to a sewage treatment plant for the Community of Tocagon in San Rafael de la Laguna, Ecuador, a clear sign that it funds place-based infrastructure as well as conservation. Another large 2024 commitment supported Jocotoco Conservation Foundation’s expansion of Buenaventura Reserve and the Narupa expansion in Ecuador, while a separate grant backed Mass Eye & Ear Associates’ Cytoflex cytometer purchase in Boston. That mix points to a foundation that moves between environmental land protection, rural sanitation, and scientific capacity building. Its recent giving shows a strong preference for targeted, project-specific support rather than broad operating grants. In Ecuador, the foundation backed reserve expansion, interpretive work tied to Parque Condor, and a community sewage project. In the U.S., it funded biomedical equipment, conservation research tools, scholarships, and museum or education projects in New Hampshire and beyond. The portfolio also includes smaller grants for planning, capital campaigns, and field equipment, suggesting a hands-on approach to capacity building. The recipient list is concentrated but varied, with conservation NGOs, universities, museums, and community organizations all appearing in the recent grants record.
In protected-area work, the foundation supported Jocotoco Conservation Foundation for reserve expansion in Ecuador, including a 2024 grant for the expansion of Buenaventura Reserve and the Narupa expansion, and a 2023 grant for expansion by 99 hectares of Tapichalaca Reserve. It also backed The Nature Conservancy in Nh for a Tanguay purchase. For biodiversity and field research, grants went to Friends of Birdlife International for Inga planting with Aves y Conservacion and travel expenses to a global conference, and to Nh Audubon for an aerial insectivore study and a cliff swallow study. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science received support for strategic planning and for game camera kits and GPS units for broad-winged hawks. The foundation also funds education and student opportunities. Earth University Foundation received scholarship support and a separate grant for a student trip to the Hult Prize regional competition, while the University of New Hampshire received scholarship funding in two different years.
$2.5M
$7.4M
$3.9M
$2.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $29K, with a median of $19K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$19K
75th Percentile
$29K
Top 3 recipient countries by grant volume for Butler Foundation C/O Cynthia Wentworth Exec Dir.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 40 | $3.6M | 90.9% |
| 2 |
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Concentrated, high-dollar, project-specific grants (few grants per year). Repeat funding to the same organizations for discrete capital projects; mix of international conservation/community development and domestic scientific capital support.
Notable grantees: Jocotoco Conservation Foundation, Community of Tocagon (Ecuador), Mass Eye & Ear Associates
Typical grant size sits at $9,520 at the 25th percentile, $18,785 at the median, and $29,448 at the 75th percentile, so the portfolio clusters around mid-sized awards with some larger project grants. The recent record shows repeat funding for several recipients across multiple years, including Jocotoco Conservation Foundation, Mass Eye & Ear Associates, Earth University Foundation, University of New Hampshire, Elaine Conners Center for Wildlife, and Vermont Institute of Natural Science. That pattern points to recurring relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation appears to be a private family foundation-style funder based on the named legal structure, and it funds individuals as well as organizations.
Most grants land in the United States, with 21 of 23 recent awards going to U.S. recipients and 43% of grants going to recipients in New Hampshire. Within the recent list, Concord, Durham, Newbury, Enfield, and Madison all appear as New Hampshire recipient locations. Outside the U.S., the foundation’s giving reaches Ecuador through grants tied to Tocagon, Buenaventura, Narupa, Tapichalaca, and Parque Condor, and it also includes one recipient in the UK through Friends of Birdlife International.
Recent grants center on conservation land protection, rural sanitation infrastructure, biomedical research equipment, and education-related support. Examples include reserve expansion in Ecuador, a sewage treatment plant for Tocagon, a cytometer for Mass Eye & Ear Associates, and scholarships for Earth University Foundation and the University of New Hampshire.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Jocotoco Conservation Foundation, Mass Eye & Ear Associates, Earth University Foundation, University of New Hampshire, Elaine Conners Center for Wildlife, and Vermont Institute of Natural Science. That suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
The recent grant-size distribution is centered in the tens of thousands: the 25th percentile is $9,520, the median is $18,785, and the 75th percentile is $29,448. Recent awards also include larger project grants such as $150,000 and $100,000.
The foundation gives most often in New Hampshire, which accounts for 43% of grants in the recent record. Overall, 21 of 23 recent grants went to U.S. recipients, with additional grants to Ecuador and the UK.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 3 |
| $197K |
6.8% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 1 | $24K | 2.3% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MASS EYE & EAR ASSOCIATES | BOSTON, MA | $1,667,000 | 2026 | UPGRADE OF THE OGI'S HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTE CLUSTER |
| JOCOTOCO CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $340,349 | 2026 | GRANT FOR PARQUES CONDOR INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCEPURCHASE OF 132 HECTARES FOR BUENAVENTURA PRESERVE IN ECUADORGRANT FOR PARQUE CONDOR FOR BIRD ACQUISION, TELEMETRY AND CONNECTION AND CONFERENCE |
| CAPITAL LAND TRUST | LACEY, WA | $100,000 | 2026 | INFRASTRUCTURE OF BAY SHORE PRESERVE |
| NORWICH GRANGE HALL | NORWICH, VT | $70,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| THE PHOENIX CONSERVANCY | PULLMAN, WA | $66,624 | 2026 | FOXHOLE FOREST CONSTRUCTION IN MADAGASCAR AND MONARCH HABITAT RESTORATION AT PULLMAN SCHOOL IN WA |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN NH | ARLINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | ACQUISTION OF LAND ON FALL MOUNTAIN |
| SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF NH FORESTS | CONCORD, NH | $50,000 | 2026 | PURCHASE OF LAND - BLACK MOUNTAIN |
| VERMONT INSTITUTE OF NATURAL SCIENCE | QUECHEE, VT | $45,885 | 2026 | EARLY CHILDHOOD EXHIBIT |
| IGLESIA EVANGELICA JESUS DE NAZARET | OTAVALO IMBABURA, SA | $37,630 | 2026 | GRANT TO EVANGELICAL CHURCH IN HUAYCOPUNGO ECUADOR FOR PURCHASE OF CHAIRS AND TABLES |
| NH AUDUBON | CONCORD, NH | $29,240 | 2026 | 10,000 TOWARD AERIAL INSECTIVORE STUDY AND 6,000 FOR CLIFF SWALLOW STUDY |
| ECOLOGISTS WITHOUT BORDERS | SEATTLE, WA | $20,300 | 2026 | CHARITABLE |
| NEW LONDON HOSPITAL | NEW LONDON, NH | $316 | 2026 | 2 EXAM TABLES |
| JOCOTOCO CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $196,290 | 2025 | GRANT FOR PARQUES CONDOR INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCEPURCHASE OF 132 HECTARES FOR BUENAVENTURA PRESERVE IN ECUADORGRANT FOR PARQUE CONDOR FOR BIRD ACQUISION, TELEMETRY AND CONNECTION AND CONFERENCE |
| MASS EYE & EAR ASSOCIATES | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | UPGRADE OF THE OGI'S HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTE CLUSTER |
| EARTH UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $58,750 | 2025 | 1ST AND FINAL PAYMENT FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP |
| NH AUDUBON | CONCORD, NH | $50,850 | 2025 | 10,000 TOWARD AERIAL INSECTIVORE STUDY AND 6,000 FOR CLIFF SWALLOW STUDY |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN NH | ARLINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | ACQUISTION OF LAND ON FALL MOUNTAIN |
| THE PHOENIX CONSERVANCY | PULLMAN, WA | $28,500 | 2025 | FOXHOLE FOREST CONSTRUCTION IN MADAGASCAR AND MONARCH HABITAT RESTORATION AT PULLMAN SCHOOL IN WA |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN | MADISON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | GRANT TO PUBLISH ARCHEAOLOGICAL WORK OF PALMITOPAMBA IN ECUADOR |
| VERMONT INSTITUTE OF NATURAL SCIENCE | QUECHEE, VT | $20,000 | 2025 | EARLY CHILDHOOD EXHIBIT |
| IGLESIA EVANGELICA JESUS DE NAZARET | OTAVALO IMBABURA, SA | $9,105 | 2025 | GRANT TO EVANGELICAL CHURCH IN HUAYCOPUNGO ECUADOR FOR PURCHASE OF CHAIRS AND TABLES |
| COMMUNITY OF TOCAGON | SAN RAFAEL DE LA LAGUNA, SA | $150,000 | 2024 | SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR THE COMMUNITY OF TOCAGON, ECUADOR |
| JOCOTOCO CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $100,000 | 2024 | EXPANSION OF BUENAVENTURA RESERVE, ECUADOR AND NARUPA EXPANSION |
| MASS EYE & EAR ASSOCIATES | BOSTON, MA | $95,000 | 2024 | EQUIPMENT - CYTOFLEX CYTOMETER |
| ENFIELD SHAKER MUSEUM | ENFIELD, NH | $30,146 | 2024 | CELLAR WINDOW RESTORATION AND LA SALETTE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| CHELAN-DOUGLAS LAND TRUST | WENATCHEE, WA | $25,250 | 2024 | APPRAISAL FOR POTENTIAL CONSERVATION PROPERTY |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN NH | ARLINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | TANGUAY PURCHASE |
| FRIENDS OF BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL | CAMBRIDGE | $23,620 | 2024 | INGA PLANTING WITH AVES Y CONSERVACION AND TRAVEL EXPENSES TO GLOBAL CONFERENCE |
| AUDUBON SOCIETY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE | CONCORD, NH | $20,000 | 2024 | POLLINATOR CONSERVATION |
| VERMONT INSTITUTE OF NATURAL SCIENCE | QUECHEE, VT | $15,000 | 2024 | STRATEGIC PLANNING |
| THE PHOENIX CONSERVANCY | PULLMAN, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | SAKOA PROJECT |
| EARTH UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $9,040 | 2024 | TRIP FOR STUDENTS TO HULT PRIZE REGIONAL COMPETITION |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE | DURHAM, NH | $8,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| ELAINE CONNERS CENTER FOR WILDLIFE | MADISON, NH | $5,983 | 2024 | ANESTHESIA MACHINE AND FOOD |
| JOHN HAY ESTATE AT THE FELLS | NEWBURY, NH | $5,000 | 2024 | SUMMER PROGRAMMING |
| JOCOTOCO CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $70,000 | 2023 | EXPANSION BY 99 HECTARES OF TAPICHALACA RESERVE IN ECUADOR |
| MASS EYE & EAR ASSOCIATES | BOSTON, MA | $65,000 | 2023 | GRANT TOWARD PURCHASE OF SANGER DNA SEQUENCER |
| EARTH UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $28,750 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FRIENDS OF MINDO CLOUD FOREST | BRATTLEBORO, VT | $18,785 | 2023 | INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE AT PARQUE CONDOR IN ECUADOR |
| THE FELLS | NEWBURY, NH | $17,350 | 2023 | SUMMER 2022 EDUCATION AND LANDSCAPE PROGRAM |
| NH AUDUBON | CONCORD, NH | $16,000 | 2023 | 10,000 TOWARD AERIAL INSECTIVORE STUDY AND 6,000 FOR CLIFF SWALLOW STUDY |
| VERMONT INSTITUTE OF NATURAL SCIENCE | QUECHEE, VT | $12,780 | 2023 | GAME CAMERA KITS AND GPS UNITS FOR BROAD-WINGED HAWKS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE | DURHAM, NH | $6,000 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| ELAINE CONNERS CENTER FOR WILDLIFE | MADISON, NH | $1,556 | 2023 | COMPUTER, PRINTER AND SUBSCRIPTION FOR SOFTWARE FOR NON-PROFITS |
MASS EYE & EAR ASSOCIATES
$1,667,000UPGRADE OF THE OGI'S HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTE CLUSTER
JOCOTOCO CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
$340,349GRANT FOR PARQUES CONDOR INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCEPURCHASE OF 132 HECTARES FOR BUENAVENTURA PRESERVE IN ECUADORGRANT FOR PARQUE CONDOR FOR BIRD ACQUISION, TELEMETRY AND CONNECTION AND CONFERENCE
NORWICH GRANGE HALL
$70,000CHARITABLE
THE PHOENIX CONSERVANCY
$66,624FOXHOLE FOREST CONSTRUCTION IN MADAGASCAR AND MONARCH HABITAT RESTORATION AT PULLMAN SCHOOL IN WA
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN NH
ACQUISTION OF LAND ON FALL MOUNTAIN
SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF NH FORESTS
$50,000PURCHASE OF LAND - BLACK MOUNTAIN
IGLESIA EVANGELICA JESUS DE NAZARET
$37,630GRANT TO EVANGELICAL CHURCH IN HUAYCOPUNGO ECUADOR FOR PURCHASE OF CHAIRS AND TABLES
NH AUDUBON
$29,24010,000 TOWARD AERIAL INSECTIVORE STUDY AND 6,000 FOR CLIFF SWALLOW STUDY
ECOLOGISTS WITHOUT BORDERS
$20,300CHARITABLE
NEW LONDON HOSPITAL
$3162 EXAM TABLES
JOCOTOCO CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
$196,290GRANT FOR PARQUES CONDOR INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCEPURCHASE OF 132 HECTARES FOR BUENAVENTURA PRESERVE IN ECUADORGRANT FOR PARQUE CONDOR FOR BIRD ACQUISION, TELEMETRY AND CONNECTION AND CONFERENCE
MASS EYE & EAR ASSOCIATES
$100,000UPGRADE OF THE OGI'S HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTE CLUSTER
NH AUDUBON
$50,85010,000 TOWARD AERIAL INSECTIVORE STUDY AND 6,000 FOR CLIFF SWALLOW STUDY
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IN NH
$50,000ACQUISTION OF LAND ON FALL MOUNTAIN
THE PHOENIX CONSERVANCY
$28,500FOXHOLE FOREST CONSTRUCTION IN MADAGASCAR AND MONARCH HABITAT RESTORATION AT PULLMAN SCHOOL IN WA
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
$25,000GRANT TO PUBLISH ARCHEAOLOGICAL WORK OF PALMITOPAMBA IN ECUADOR
IGLESIA EVANGELICA JESUS DE NAZARET
$9,105GRANT TO EVANGELICAL CHURCH IN HUAYCOPUNGO ECUADOR FOR PURCHASE OF CHAIRS AND TABLES
COMMUNITY OF TOCAGON
$150,000SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR THE COMMUNITY OF TOCAGON, ECUADOR
JOCOTOCO CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
$100,000EXPANSION OF BUENAVENTURA RESERVE, ECUADOR AND NARUPA EXPANSION
MASS EYE & EAR ASSOCIATES
$95,000EQUIPMENT - CYTOFLEX CYTOMETER
ENFIELD SHAKER MUSEUM
$30,146CELLAR WINDOW RESTORATION AND LA SALETTE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
FRIENDS OF BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL
$23,620INGA PLANTING WITH AVES Y CONSERVACION AND TRAVEL EXPENSES TO GLOBAL CONFERENCE
AUDUBON SOCIETY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
$20,000POLLINATOR CONSERVATION
THE PHOENIX CONSERVANCY
$10,000SAKOA PROJECT
TRIP FOR STUDENTS TO HULT PRIZE REGIONAL COMPETITION
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
$8,000SCHOLARSHIP
ELAINE CONNERS CENTER FOR WILDLIFE
$5,983ANESTHESIA MACHINE AND FOOD
JOHN HAY ESTATE AT THE FELLS
$5,000SUMMER PROGRAMMING
EXPANSION BY 99 HECTARES OF TAPICHALACA RESERVE IN ECUADOR
MASS EYE & EAR ASSOCIATES
$65,000GRANT TOWARD PURCHASE OF SANGER DNA SEQUENCER
FRIENDS OF MINDO CLOUD FOREST
$18,785INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE AT PARQUE CONDOR IN ECUADOR
THE FELLS
$17,350SUMMER 2022 EDUCATION AND LANDSCAPE PROGRAM
NH AUDUBON
$16,00010,000 TOWARD AERIAL INSECTIVORE STUDY AND 6,000 FOR CLIFF SWALLOW STUDY
GAME CAMERA KITS AND GPS UNITS FOR BROAD-WINGED HAWKS
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
$6,000SCHOLARSHIP
ELAINE CONNERS CENTER FOR WILDLIFE
$1,556COMPUTER, PRINTER AND SUBSCRIPTION FOR SOFTWARE FOR NON-PROFITS