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Dorene and Lee Butler Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Dorene and Lee Butler Family Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$312k
Granted FY2025still arriving
9
Grants FY2025still arriving
4
States reached
$200k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0197% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Environment$802kHuman Services$572kReligion$358kEducation$298kEmployment$143kPhilanthropy$129kArts & Culture$67kHealth$46kOther$0
02FY2025 · 9 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k4 grants · $7k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $105k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $200k
$12,204
Median grant
4
States reached
$2.4M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
LAGUNA BEACH SENIORS INC$200,000
SANCTUARY SPRINGS INC$48,450
Individual grant recipient$30,557
Moveable Feast Lexington Inc$13,500
Covellite Presents$12,204
Sierra Madre Search & Rescue Team$5,000
Balboa Island Museum Newport Beach$1,000
New York Shakespeare Festival- The Public Theater$500
Share Ourselves$480
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY17–25, $9k) land where the poverty rate runs at 10%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 89% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT: $500 → 14%YMCA of Northern Utah: $1k → 8%Share Ourselves: $6k → 10%Share Ourselves: $480 → 10%Free Throws for Kids: $1k → 12%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
MT
MN
IL
MI
NY
IN
OH
CA
UT
CO
NE
KY
VA
AZ
NC
DC
GA
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

77%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.9M · 34 repeat orgs$568k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +25% since the first grant, against +15% for those funded once.

34 repeat relationships: 5 still active in FY2025, 29 since wound down; 4 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

34
48

Total granted

$1.9M
$548k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+25%
+15%

Still filing today

65%
75%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 94% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $20k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureHealthEducationEnvironmentHuman ServicesAnimalsOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • LB
    LAGUNA BEACH SENIORS INC
    9× · 2017–2025 · $516k · revenue +130%
  • AA
    ADVENTURERS AND SCIENTISTS FOR CONSERVATION
    4× · 2018–2022 · $31k · revenue +16%
  • RM
    RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES - BAY AREA
    4× · 2019–2022 · $21k · revenue +43%

Funded once

  • AF
    AIR FORCE ACADEMY FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2023 · $250k · revenue -14%
  • TR
    THE REDWOOD PROJECT
    one grant, 2021 · $160k
  • NS
    NO SQUARE THEATREgraduated
    one grant, 2018 · $25k · revenue +51%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County

To promote philanthropy to make santa cruz county a better place to live, now and in the future.we bring together people, ideas, and resources to inspire philanthropy and accomplish great things.

Philanthropy
2
Uc Santa Barbara Foundation

The uc santa barbara foundation actively works to further the goals of the university of california, santa barbara. the foundation seeks to maintain and nurture the university's quality and distinction. on behalf of the campus, the…

Education
3
The San Diego Foundation

The san diego foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and enables community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region.

Philanthropy
4
Association of California School Administrators

The association serves its members by creating resources that enable california school administrators to develop and apply creative leadership and management skills and in turn, improve the educational process for all students.

—
5
The California Channel

To distribute public affairs and other educational information in order to create an electronic bridge between californians and their public officials, and, in the process educate a new generation of voting citizens and civic leaders who…

—
6
Ucsf Foundation Investment Company

The organization provides professional investment management services for endowed gifts and financial assets entrusted to the ucsf foundation.

Education
7
The Union of Concerned Scientists Inc

The union of concerned scientists puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future.

International
8
Parks California

As california state parks' statutory non-profit partner, we have a clear mission - to help strengthen parks and inspire all people to experience these extraordinary places.

Environment
9
California Dental Association Foundation

The foundation's mission is to improve the oral health of all californians by supporting the dental profession and its efforts to meet community needs.

Science & Tech
10
Uc Riverside Foundation

To support educational, research and public functions and programs of the riverside campus of the university of california.

Education
11
California Forward

Ca fwd drives action to identify solutions that can be taken to scale to meet the challenges the state is facing. the organization is driven by the belief that regional solutions across the state will help ensure economic, environmental,…

Public Benefit
12
California Association of Nonprofits

Calnonprofits, the leading policy voice for california's nonprofit sector, focuses on advocacy, education, and research to build a more powerful and politically engaged nonprofit network across california.

Philanthropy
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Make-a-Wish Foundation of America; the most unlike its peers is Covellite Presents. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

68 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 68 of the 90 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
17
Early backer (in before they grew)
66/68
Grantees still filing
49/68
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE REDWOOD PROJECT: $595,000 · OtherTHE REDWOOD PROJECTLAGUNA BEACH SENIORS INC: $515,593 · OtherLAGUNA BEACH SENIORS INCSANCTUARY SPRINGS INC: $342,300 · OtherSANCTUARY SPRINGS INCTHE REDWOOD PROJECT: $160,000 · OtherTHE REDWOOD PROJECTRailroad Passengers Association: $142,500 · OtherRailroad Passengers Association+49 more: $239,622 · Other+49 moreAIR FORCE ACADEMY FOUNDATION: $250,000 · PhilanthropyAIR FORCE ACADEM…PARK CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $126,000 · PhilanthropyPARK CITY COMMUN…+2 more: $3,731 · PhilanthropyNO SQUARE THEATRE: $25,000 · Arts & CultureCOVELLITE PRESENTS: $17,306 · Arts & CultureLEXARTS INC: $7,015 · Arts & CultureKimball Art Center: $5,000 · Arts & CultureWOODFORD COUNTY THEATRICAL ARTS ASSOCIATION INC: $3,000 · Arts & Culture+6 more: $6,515 · Arts & CultureADVENTURERS AND SCIENTISTS FOR CONSERVATION: $31,040 · EnvironmentNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS: $8,000 · EnvironmentSIERRA WATCH: $4,500 · Environment+2 more: $1,000 · EnvironmentMOVEABLE FEAST LEXINGTON INC: $13,500 · HealthHOAG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $11,736 · HealthAVENUES FOR WOMEN INC: $5,200 · HealthALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC: $2,500 · HealthAMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC: $2,255 · Health+3 more: $2,500 · HealthCALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO FOUNDATION: $5,000 · EducationPARTNERS IN OAKLAND EDUCATION DBA VINCENT ACADEMY: $4,500 · EducationTHE SPRINGSTONE SCHOOL: $2,000 · EducationUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY FOUNDATION: $2,000 · EducationUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE FOUNDATION: $1,000 · EducationUCLA FOUNDATION: $500 · EducationCRYSTAL COVE CONSERVANCY: $10,250 · Recreation & SportsCALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION: $3,098 · Recreation & Sports
Other$1,995,015Philanthropy$379,731Arts & Culture$63,836Environment$44,540Health$37,691Education$15,000Recreation & Sports$13,348

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetLAGUNA BEACH SENIORS INC: $515,593 over 9y, 20% of budgetAIR FORCE ACADEMY FOUNDATION: $250,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetPARK CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $126,000 over 6y, 0.4% of budgetADVENTURERS AND SCIENTISTS FOR CONSERVATION: $31,040 over 4y, 1.1% of budgetNO SQUARE THEATRE: $25,000 over 1y, 7.8% of budgetRONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES - BAY AREA: $21,381 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetCOVELLITE PRESENTS: $17,306 over 2y, 1.9% of budgetHOAG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $11,736 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetLove Never Fails Inc: $11,500 over 2y, 1.6% of budgetCRYSTAL COVE CONSERVANCY: $10,250 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSAN FRANCISCO FOOD BANK: $10,075 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS: $8,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetLEXARTS INC: $7,015 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetShare Our Selves Corporation: $6,480 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCORNERSTONE HOUSING FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES: $5,203 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetRONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF SAN FRANCISCO: $5,000 over 1y, 1.8% of budgetKimball Art Center: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetOMAHA ZOO FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPARTNERS IN OAKLAND EDUCATION DBA VINCENT ACADEMY: $4,500 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetSIERRA WATCH: $4,500 over 5y, 0.3% of budgetBay Area Youth Rugby Inc: $3,500 over 2y, 2.2% of budgetTHE NORTHERN CINCINNAI FOUNDATION: $3,231 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION: $3,098 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWOODFORD COUNTY THEATRICAL ARTS ASSOCIATION INC: $3,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetNATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION: $2,515 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetORINDA NETWORK FOR EDUCATION: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC: $2,255 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTHE SPRINGSTONE SCHOOL: $2,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetCOMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF ORANGE COUNTY: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY FOUNDATION: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCITY HARVEST INC: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetONE805 INC: $1,950 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetGAY-LESBIAN-BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER PRIDE-T: $1,561 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetAPPALSHOP INC: $1,515 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPARK CITY SKI EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $1,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SAN FRANCISCO: $1,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF AMERICA: $1,050 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCOTA - Children's Organ Transplant Association: $1,030 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBALBOA ISLAND MUSEUM: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetAUGUSTA MUSEUM OF HISTORY INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetALAMEDA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSHEPHERD'S HOUSE INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWAYMAKERS: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetYoung Mens Christian Association Of Northern Utah: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Blue Grass Community …Hoag Memorial Hospita…Orange County Communi…Macgillivray Family F…Laguna Beach Communit…Croul Family Foundati…The William Jeff and …Sisters of St Joseph …The James Irvine Foun…Greater HorizonsGs Donor Advised Phil…Nisource Charitable F…
Blue Grass Community Foundation IncKY16.6× affinity6 shared granteesties to 5 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Blue Grass Community Foundation Inc · Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian · Orange County Community Foundation · Macgillivray Family Foundation · Laguna Beach Community Foundation · Croul Family Foundation · The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation · Sisters of St Joseph Healthcare Foundation · The James Irvine Foundation · Greater Horizons · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc · Nisource Charitable Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Dorene and Lee Butler Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Dorene and Lee Butler Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%5%11%20%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 0%
  • Wounded Warrior Project Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
0get no government money at all
18report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 90 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Dorene and Lee Butler Family’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home