Advocating Across Generations and
Telling the Stories That Matter.
Donna M. Butts is an award-winning nonprofit leader, author, and nationally trusted voice advancing intergenerational solutions that strengthen children, families, and older adults.
Kirkus Review of Grandfamilies: Stories of Children and the Loving Relatives Who Raise Them
“An informed and engaging overview of the larger family systems so many young people need. In her nonfiction debut, Butts… writes about the anecdotal and documented advantages of collective, multigenerational care… these family dynamics will be warmly recognized by many readers.”
A Message from Donna
Meet
.jpg)
Donna served as Executive Director of Generations United, a national nonprofit focused on strengthening families through intergenerational policy and practice, where she elevated the needs of grandfamilies and advanced policies supporting families across generations. Her leadership shaped national conversations and helped pave the way for critical legislation and resources for relative caregivers.
Read
In her book Grandfamilies, Donna offers a powerful, firsthand look at the families who step up for children when it matters most.
More than 2.4 million children in the United States are being raised by grandparents or other relatives because their parents are unable to care for them. For years, these families — known as Grandfamilies — have too often remained invisible.
Upcoming Events
Join Me for a Special Event in Chicago
On Tuesday September 15th I’ll be joined by Marc Freedman and special guest Adrian Charniak for a conversation, audience Q&A, reception, and book signing at Impact House in Chicago.
The first 50 attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Grandfamilies, courtesy of RRF Foundation for Aging.
Registration is required and space is limited. Register by Friday, September 11 at 5:30 PM—or before capacity is reached.
Recent Media Spotlights — Grandfamilies: Stories of Children and the Loving Relatives Who Raise Them
Enjoy some of my latest interviews highlighting Grandfamilies, caregiving, and the growing role relatives play in raising children across the country.
On August 27th I was honored to be the featured author in conversation with Adele Ryono, CoGen Voices Fellow and foundero f reGenerations. Adele, who is a high school student, developed and asked me such insightful questions.
Watch me and Jaia Peterson Lent, Deputy Executive Director of Generations United, on the WJZ CBS Morning Show as we discuss my book's importance and the realities many grandfamilies face.
.jpg)
Tune in to Caregiver SOS On Air where I discuss caregiving and kinship care with nationally recognized gerontologist Carol Zernial.
Watch me and Adam Otto, one of the incredible individuals raised by grandparents featured in my book, on PBS News Hour where we discussed the unique challenges and unconditional love that characterize so many grandfamilies.
.jpg)
Watch me and Jaia Peterson Lent, Deputy Executive Director of Generations United, on the WJZ CBS Morning Show as we discuss my book's importance and the realities many grandfamilies face.
Grand Adrian Charniak and I spoke to Market Watch about the financial implications of grandfamilies including the impact of recent cuts to federal aid like TANF and Medicaid.
.jpg)
Watch my interview with Fox 5 DC where I discuss the inspiration behind my book and the growing importance of supporting relatives raising children across the country.
Get to Know the Grandfamilies:
Stories of Children and the Loving Relatives Who Raise Them
![[[Courtesy of Adrian Charniak. Joe and Adrian]].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/14fb9e_9bf9ad64fed94154a88d2d10993973a8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_281,h_305,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/%5B%5BCourtesy%20of%20Adrian%20Charniak_%20Joe%20and%20Adrian%5D%5D.jpg)
![A MUST USE-- GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND [[Wes Moore and grandfather, Papa Jim]].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/14fb9e_111a291241864232bdf5cfb94d7070e3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_307,h_333,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/A%20MUST%20USE--%20GOVERNOR%20OF%20MARYLAND%20%5B%5BWes%20Moore%20and%20grandfather%2C%20Papa%20Jim%5D%5D.jpg)
![[[Michelle Singletary and her grandmother, Big Mama 1991]].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/14fb9e_4dc743a0e39f4b32b61e4ece57bde49b~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_243,h_353,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/%5B%5BMichelle%20Singletary%20and%20her%20grandmother%2C%20Big%20Mama%201991%5D%5D.jpeg)
![[[Couresy of Bob Ruble. Bob Ruble and neice]].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/14fb9e_4f36531767be43719e8b836b24a46c47~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_307,h_333,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/%5B%5BCouresy%20of%20Bob%20Ruble_%20Bob%20Ruble%20and%20neice%5D%5D.jpg)
In Grandfamilies, Donna centers the voices of caregivers and children, sharing powerful, deeply personal stories from families across generations. Through these lived experiences, the book reveals the sacrifices they make, the challenges of navigating complex systems, and the unwavering hope and resilience that sustain them.
Picture above: Pat Owens and her grandson (top left), Adrian and Joe (bottom left), Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, and grandfather, Papa Jim (middle), Michelle Singletary and her grandmother, Big Mama (top right), and Bob Ruble and his niece (bottom right).