Give Back to the Place That Shaped Your Story
Boldly Butler: Our $325 Million Vision
We’ve launched the most ambitious fundraising campaign in Butler’s history. Boldly Butler is our commitment to setting a new standard for education—one that has a local impact and a global reach. By 2030, we aim to raise $325 million to fuel three core pillars:
- Transformational Learning: Preparing students for meaningful lives and successful careers through personalized experiences.
- A Dynamic Campus & Community: Enhancing the cultural and economic vitality of Central Indiana.
- A Thriving Butler: Ensuring our university is built to endure as a premier national institution.
Looking for a unique way to get involved?
While the Boldly Butler campaign sets our long-term vision, the Butler Giving Circle offers a hands-on, collective way to make an immediate difference in our community and for our students.
The Butler Giving Circle: Small Gifts, Big Change
The Butler Giving Circle is a community of alumni donors dedicated to supporting two mission-critical elements of Butler University’s vision for the future: Student Access and Success and Community Partnerships.
Through cumulative annual gifts totaling $500 to the Giving Circle Fund, any Butler alumnus, parent, or friend can become a shareholder and voting member in the Butler Giving Circle. These funds are pooled and directed as such:
Our Current Mission: Student Mental Health
Since its inception in 2019, the Butler Giving Circle has raised over $200,000 in support of the community grant program, the Giving Circle’s priority partner, and the Butler Fund for Student Scholarship. Shareholders can look forward to opportunities to engage with students, alumni, Butler leaders, and community partners throughout the year and receive regular updates on student-driven projects funded by the Giving Circle community grant.
Note: Shareholders must make their $500 contribution to Butler University by May 31 each year to be eligible to vote for the community grant recipients at the annual meeting.
Apply for a 2025-2026 Grant
Are you a current Butler student, faculty, or staff member with a project idea that supports our community? Applications are now open!
After an initial review of project proposals by Butler University Advancement and the Butler Giving Circle Executive Committee, Butler Giving Circle shareholders have the opportunity to recommend final recipients by vote at the Butler Giving Circle annual meeting.
- Applications for the 2025-2026 grant cycle are now open and will be accepted from December 15, 2025, through February 22, 2026. Please click here to submit an application.
Let’s Connect
For more information, please review the Butler Giving Circle FAQs. If you have additional questions or want to learn more about how to join the Butler Giving Circle, contact Sarah Smith, Associate Director of Butler Community Engagement, at 317-940-6467 or by email at sksmith3@butler.edu.