Ab Foundation
Ab Foundation is a public charity based in Washington, DC, formed in 2011. Its stated work is to research progressive solutions to public policy concerns and educate the American people and national leaders about them. Its 2024 filing reports $58,045,000 in grants to 10 recipients.
Ab Foundation at a glance
In short: Ab Foundation gave $58.0M across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $5.8M), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $58,045,000
- +8628.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- +400.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,804,500
- +1645.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $475,000
- Total assets
- $2,987,769
- +254.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (90% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Ab Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 800 Maine Avenue Sw 400, Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 747-2060
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ab Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ab Pac ($26.6M). Together the top 10 received $58.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
51 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 10 grants of 51 (20%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Washington, DC, which accounted for 90% of the total. Recipients in Illinois received 7%; those in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Virginia each received 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Ab Foundation gives
- Giving grew 18776% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $308K (2021) to $58.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $58.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ab Pac Washington, DC | Political Activity | $26,550,000 |
| American Independent Media Washington, DC | Education Program | $23,500,000 |
| Choose Chicago Foundation Chicaco, IL | Education Program | $4,000,000 |
| America Votes Action Fund Washington, DC | Political Activity | $2,000,000 |
| Campaign for America's Kids and Families Taunton, MA | Education Program | $500,000 |
| Voters Project Bayonne, NJ | General Support | $450,000 |
| Project 218 Burke, VA | Political Activity | $400,000 |
| Center for Voter Information Washington, DC | General Support | $375,000 |
| Celebrate New Jersey Now Inc Newark, NJ | General Support | $170,000 |
| Buidling the Future Foundation East Brunswick, NJ | General Support | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,987,769 | $74,574,500 | $70,499,037 | $58,045,000 | 10 | — |
| 2023 | $843,650 | $6,001,649 | $8,571,260 | $665,000 | 2 | $-876 |
| 2022 | $2,407,973 | $20,712,901 | $15,970,417 | $8,598,500 | 19 | $-805 |
| 2021 | $2,285,446 | $9,934,660 | $16,108,769 | $307,500 | 7 | $4,888 |
| 2020 | $3,431,448 | $28,575,524 | $23,204,232 | $15,917,900 | 13 | $-15,695 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Ab Foundation states that its mission is to compare and contrast progressive and conservative solutions to America’s public policy concerns and educate the American people and the nation’s leaders on the results of that research. Its 2024 filing says it advocated and researched progressive solutions and worked to educate the public and national leaders about progressive ideas.
The 2024 grants included support for political activity, education programs, and general support. Among its grantees, American Independent Media describes itself as a progressive media organization producing news and information about government and politics. The Voters Project describes its mission as advancing New Jersey residents’ well-being through civic participation and appreciation of voting rights. The Center for Voter Information says it works to increase civic engagement among under-represented communities. Celebrate New Jersey Now describes its work as promoting the state’s common good and welfare through civic engagement and supporting its business and commerce. Building the Future Foundation says it seeks sound legislation and public policies related to infrastructure, economic development, employment opportunities, and economic security for working families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Ab Foundation reported 10 grants totaling $58,045,000. Grant amounts ranged from $100,000 to $26,550,000, with a median grant of $475,000.
The largest reported grants were $26,550,000 to AB PAC for political activity, $23,500,000 to American Independent Media for an education program, $4,000,000 to Choose Chicago Foundation for an education program, and $2,000,000 to America Votes Action Fund for political activity. Other listed grants included $500,000 to Campaign for America’s Kids and Families, $450,000 to Voters Project, $400,000 to Project 218, $375,000 to Center for Voter Information, $170,000 to Celebrate New Jersey Now Inc, and $100,000 to Building the Future Foundation.
No application process or information about unsolicited requests is provided in the available materials.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Cecile Richards as chair; Chris Deri as director and treasurer; David Bennahum, Michael Kemper, Marissa McBride, Barbara Stiefel, and Nick Stephens began May 2024 as directors; Patrick Dennis as president; Pilar Martinez as chief financial officer; and Tiffiany Vaughn as senior director of communications and national press.
Ab Foundation is led by Patrick Dennis, President on every filing since 2022; 4 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Patrick Dennis
President
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
$29K (2022) → $126K (2024)
Cecile Richards
Chair
Co-Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
15 hrs/week
$110K (2021) → $200K (2024)
Tiffiany Vaughn
Senior Director of Comms & Nat'l Press
New on the 2024 filing
30 hrs/week
$103K (2024)
Chris Deri
Director - Treasurer
Member → Director, 2022
Director → Director - Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Kemper
Director
Member → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Stiefel
Director
Member → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marissa McBride
Director
Member → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Bennahum
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nick Stephensbegan May
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pilar Martinez
Chief Financial Officer
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2022
On filings since 2021
15 hrs/week
$50K (2021) → $179K (2024)
Former officers (11)
- Former: Deval Patrick (2020–2023) — Co-Chair
- Former: Ted Trimpa (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: David Brock (2022–2023) — Senior Advisor
- Former: Vaugh Tiffiany (2023) — Senior Director of Comms & Nat'l Press
- Former: Bradley Beychok (2020–2022) — Senior Advisor
- Former: David Bennhaum (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Jessica Floyd (2021–2022) — President
- Former: Chrystian Woods (2022) — Bridge Together Director
- Former: Daniel Kazin (2021) — Vice President of Campaigns
- Former: Jennifer Granholm (2020) — Co-Chair
- Former: Shripal Shah (2020) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $200K, to Cecile Richards (Chair). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ab Foundation
How much does Ab Foundation give each year?
Ab Foundation gave $58.0M across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $665K across 2 grants.
What is Ab Foundation's typical grant size?
Ab Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $475,000, and its average grant was $5,804,500, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Ab Foundation give grants?
Ab Foundation gives mostly in District of Columbia: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does Ab Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 40% of Ab Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Political Activity" (3 grants) and "Education Program" (3 grants).
Who are Ab Foundation's largest grantees?
Ab Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Ab Pac ($26,550,000), American Independent Media ($23,500,000) and Choose Chicago Foundation ($4,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ab Foundation?
Ab Foundation reported $3.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $74.6M.
What does Ab Foundation fund?
Ab Foundation states that its mission is to compare and contrast progressive and conservative solutions to America’s public policy concerns and educate the American people and the nation’s leaders on the results of that research. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ab Foundation?
Ab Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Ab Foundation's EIN?
Ab Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-5278038. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 22, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ab Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ab-foundation-morg_59c08b39f62c40e4917937f7e08a9274
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_275278038_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ab Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ab-foundation-morg_59c08b39f62c40e4917937f7e08a9274},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Ab Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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