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Burridge D Butler Memorial Tr of Chicago

EIN 36-6065694 · Cary, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BURRIDGE D. BUTLER MEMORIAL TRUST OF CHICAGO IS A TAX-EXEMPT TRUST CREATED IN 1951 UNDER THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF BURRIDGE D. BUTLER. THE TRUST IS DEVOTED TO CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS A TYPE III NON-FUNCTIONALLY INTERGRATED (SEE SCHEDULE O) SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION TO THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST. THE TRUST IS A TOTAL RETURN TRUST. THE DISTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST ARE COMPUTED IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO FIVE PERCENT ON A MOVING THREE YEAR AVERAGE OF THE NET FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE TRUST'S ASSETS FOR EACH OF THE THREE YEARS PRECEDING THE YEAR OF THE CURRENT YEAR DISTRIBUTION BASED ON A FISCAL YEAR.

Income
$4.3 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$32,320, chairman

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $2.1 million spent. PER THE WILL OF BURRIDGE D. BUTLER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SIGNED MEMORANDUM AND AGREEMENT BY THE TRUSTEES TO CONVERT TO A TOTAL RETURN TRUST EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 7, 2018, DISTRIBUTED FUNDS TO THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST FOR THEM TO DISTRIBUTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF MR. BUTLER'S WILL FOR CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1980.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.