Catalytic Impact - The Butler Foundation

INVESTING FOR CATALYTIC IMPACT

We look to achieve CATALYTIC IMPACT by funding programs and organizations that align with our Mission and Grant Priorities.

Poverty — whether generational or situational – is a complicated problem with many causes. Too often the services provided by direct service charities offer only temporary relief, rather than long-term solutions. Our board of directors looks for organizations that take a long-term approach to addressing the complexities of poverty. Generally, these are organizations that take a more personalized approach and “dive deep” to help people in need — as opposed to charities that “go broad” with their services in order to touch as many people as possible in a given year.

In 2023, The Butler Foundation invested nearly $1.3 million in education, hardship relief, and charitable support.

We consider each grant an investment in our neighbors and our community, so we strive to make it CATALYTIC and IMPACTFUL.

CATALYTIC grants accelerate action and positive change. One example would be a matching grant opportunity that inspires others to give. We issue dollar-for-dollar challenge grants when we think they can leverage new and increased donations for the charities we support.

IMPACTFUL grants drive significant, long-term outcomes. One example would be a multi-year grant that helps a charity plan ahead, scale up an effective program, or launch a new service to meet a community need.

READ MORE ABOUT RECENT CATALYTIC AND IMPACTFUL GRANTS

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In 2005 Bill and Marty Butler launched the Life Learning Center out of a desire to create a long-term solution to the problems faced by Northern Kentuckians who live in poverty. At that time, a number of reputable organizations offered immediate help to people in crisis, but few effectively focused on the factors that help people build income and long-term stability – namely, education and employment. After researching local and national programs that have proven impact for individuals at risk, Life Learning Center was born.

Since then, the Butler Foundation and Corporex Companies have invested over $3 million in operating, program, and in-kind support for Life Learning Center.

The long-term outcomes of that investment are clear. Today, the Center helps people achieve personal, transformational change by identifying and eliminating their barriers to long-term success; and providing the specific tools and support they need to find and maintain living wage employment.

In 2021, LLC was designated a local Recovery Community Center expanding the services it provides to people who are struggling with substance use disorder. Award-winning author Sam Quinones, whose books Dreamland and The Least of These highlight the devastating consequences of drug use in American society today, points to Life Learning Center’s program as an effective solution. To see the Center featured on a nationally broadcast segment of CBS Saturday morning, click here.

To understand the impact Life Learning Center is making for low-income Northern Kentuckians, see the Center’s 2021 Annual Report.

Catalytic and Impactful.

Northern Kentuckians consistently cite a lack of affordable, reliable transportation as one of the primary obstacles to employment. The services of Samaritan Car Care Clinic allow low-income people to find and maintain living wage jobs – setting them on the road to success.

Samaritan Car Care Clinic began as a small program run by Bruce Kintner and a team of volunteers from the congregation of Madison Avenue Christian Church. For years the Clinic provided free oil changes to 16 people every quarter – most of them low-income single mothers. In short order, Bruce saw that most of the vehicles SCCC was servicing needed major repairs to keep them road-worthy. He built relationships with local auto repair shops for discounted parts and labor, and approached The Butler Foundation for a grant to cover costs.

Understanding the critical role Samaritan Car Care Clinic plays for hardworking people in need, the Butler Foundation set out to help bring the program to scale. In 2018 we launched a multi-year challenge grant of $350,000 to help the Clinic establish itself as an independent charity with a facility to provide maintenance and repair services full-time, five days a week. Since that time, the Clinic has grown in visibility and raised matching support from numerous individuals, companies, and local funders. Corporex and its affiliates have donated real estate and in-kind professional services to build SCCC’s repair shop on Madison Avenue, and the Clinic will open there in Fall 2022.

Catalytic and Impactful.

The missions of the Foundation and St. Vincent de Paul – NKY are closely aligned. In 2019 the Foundation pledged a muti-year challenge grant of $450,000 to help SVDP increase capacity in its thrift stores; design and implement a micro-loan program for low-income workers; and provide food, clothing and financial assistance to Northern Kentuckians in need. SVDP’s executive team rose to the challenge and produced significant outcomes:

Raised $690,000 in new and increased matching donations from other sources
Developed and launched a low-interest microloan program, providing low-income workers relief from predatory lenders, access to capital, and better credit scores. As of May 2022, 30 loans were made; 14 were paid in full, and principal/interest payments are “paid forward” to others in need.
Identified a location and opened a new choice food pantry and retail thrift operation in Campbell County, KY, producing positive cash flow for operations within six months.
Completed physical upgrades on SVDP’s primary facility in Erlanger, KY; and
Provided over $1.375 million in emergency assistance – a 30% increase over the prior two years.

Catalytic and Impactful.