Abako Foundation
Abako Foundation is a private foundation based in Carlsbad, California. Founded in 2016, it supports education projects in underserved communities, with recent work centered on literacy, reading, school libraries, and teacher support.
Abako Foundation at a glance
In short: Abako Foundation gave $31K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $2K). Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $31,211
- -50.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +30.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,401
- -62.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,343
- Total assets
- $543,489
- -16.3% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Abako Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. The filing says applications are submitted electronically and refers to “Statement 1” for application materials and award restrictions; further details are not provided here.
- Review Cycle
- No set submission dates.
- Deadline
- No set submission dates.
- Contact
Application contact: Leticia Banks
Mailing address: 7040 Avenida Encinas Ste Ste 104 12, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Phone: (858) 442-6784
Email: drbanks@abakofoundation.org
Website: https://www.abakofoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Abako Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Educacion Inicial Indigena ($5K). Together the top 7 received $14K.
Organizations only. It also paid 6 grants to individuals ($17,015), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 77 grants of 80 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Abako’s website describes its work in underserved communities in India, Mali, and Mexico. Its 2025 grant descriptions include projects in those countries. The filing also describes foundation activity in Senegal, where Abako traveled to train staff and acquire books and materials.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
How Abako Foundation gives
- Giving fell 79% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 89% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $31K (2025) to $150K (2022). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $31K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 6 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $17,015 |
| Educacion Inicial Indigena | This pilot Childhood Education project supports mothers caretakers and children ages 0-3 Our goal is to guide and accompany mothers as they introduce their children to their first words in both Mayan and Spanish Mothers become primary language teachers by creating visual materials in both languages They draw simple vocabulary words in 5-7 domains and engage their children as language experts in a natural context-driven way Abako offers teacher training parent workshops drawing notebooks colored pencils classroom furniture and other necessary supplies Abako staff regularly visit the project sites to monitor progress and provide ongoing teacher training | $5,005 |
| Karunodaya Foundation | Our three-year partnership with the Karunodaya Foundation in Gaya India continued to flourish in 2025 During two visits to India in 2025 we forged important collaborations to support the 29 schools participating in the Literacy and Library Program launched by Abako in 2022 Abako sponsored a Teachers Day celebration visited 15 school sites led a week-long capacity-building workshop for the 15-member staff and held library sessions in five schools working closely with Karunodaya staff and local teachers We also purchased and delivered stationery and sports equipment for all program schools Additionally Abako visited a new Karunodaya initiative in 11 small villages near Gaya aimed at helping young women complete their education and develop leadership skills While this project is still in the exploratory phase we have already provided materials and equipment to support the staff In 2026 Abako plans to deepen our involvement in this promising new initiative | $4,203 |
| Escuela Secundaria Tecnica 23 | This small writing project in a middle school in Cuernavaca Mexico aims at improving basic writing skills The 241 students work with a book that target discrete writing skills from sentence structure to paragraph formation and organization These students have demonstrated strong reading skills but now they need to transfer all the knowledge into writing their thoughts and ideas Abako provides books and paper materials for the project implementation | $2,137 |
| Abako Yucatan Alumni | Abako remains an ally to schools that have participated in our two-year literacy or reading programs Maintaining an active role in supporting reading initiatives beyond Abako direct involvement is essential for program longevity To this end Abako continues to provide books and teaching materials to schools guided by regular progress reports | $1,343 |
| Shantidham Home for Women | This recent Abako initiative supports a community of 40 women who have been abandoned by their families and stigmatized by society Abako provides monthly physical care offering small but meaningful comforts snacks blankets personal care items and soon carefully curated books While identifying literacy levels has proven challenging Abako is committed to collaborating with the community to ensure these women have access to reading and visual materials to enrich their free time | $659 |
| Cedex | This small night school project in Cuernavaca Mexico targets basic literacy skills for students who for diverse reasons have dropped out of regular classrooms This night school serves about 50 students ages 14-37 who need to earn their high school diploma The project supplies books and learning materials so that teachers can focus on academic and emotional needs Abako intervention is discrete and temporary but we monitor progress as needed | $439 |
| Escuaela Secundaria Tecnica 13 | In September 2025 Abako began collaborating with a rural middle school in Acanceh Mexico where a dedicated librarian launched a reading club with just six students The club has since expanded to 185 members and Abako has partnered with the school to provide additional books and sponsor writing contests The club now offers regular activities that encourage reading and writing both within the school and the wider community Abako looks forward to continuing this partnership throughout the year | $410 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $543,489 | $19,653 | $89,638 | $31,211 | 13 | $31,211 | $19,653 | $34,923 |
| 2024 | $649,438 | $18,991 | $108,578 | $63,430 | 10 | $63,430 | $18,926 | $32,638 |
| 2023 | $684,703 | $17,595 | $186,754 | $134,836 | 15 | $134,836 | — | $33,035 |
| 2022 | $825,333 | $118,156 | $179,948 | $149,590 | 13 | $149,590 | $16,123 | $32,243 |
| 2021 | $751,778 | $16,390 | $153,707 | $110,493 | 29 | $110,493 | $16,390 | $30,165 |
| 2020 | $788,820 | $19,550 | $121,164 | $49,489 | 18 | — | $19,100 | $33,743 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Abako Foundation reported a distributable amount of $35K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Abako’s stated mission is to improve the classroom experience for children in underserved communities by investing in teachers and removing barriers to better learning. Its website describes work with public-school teachers, education officials, nonprofit organizations, and communities. It says its current efforts focus on foundational literacy and reading in basic education, using school libraries and resources for teachers and students.
The 2025 grants supported school and community education projects, including libraries, reading and writing instruction, early-childhood language learning, teacher activities, and learning materials. The grant descriptions identify recipients such as schools and education projects in Mali, Mexico, and India.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Abako reported 13 grants totaling $31,211. Individual grants ranged from $410 to $9,582, with a median grant of $1,343.
The largest reported grants were $9,582 to an individual recipient Elementary School for library and literacy support in Mali; $5,005 to Educacion Inicial Indigena for an early-childhood language project; and $4,203 to Karunodaya Foundation for its Literacy and Library Program supporting schools in India.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Leticia Banks as President and Paul Banks as Board Member.
Abako Foundation is led by Leticia Banks, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Leticia Banks
President
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
$51K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Paul Banks
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Dolores Molina (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Fermin Sotelo (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Yadira Ortega (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Teresa Tejeda (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Anel May (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $17K, to Leticia Banks (President).
Frequently asked questions about Abako Foundation
How much does Abako Foundation give each year?
Abako Foundation gave $31K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $63K across 10 grants.
What is Abako Foundation's typical grant size?
Abako Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,343, and its average grant was $2,401, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Does Abako Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Abako Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Abako Foundation's largest grantees?
Abako Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Educacion Inicial Indigena ($5,005), Karunodaya Foundation ($4,203) and Escuela Secundaria Tecnica 23 ($2,137), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 6 grants to individuals ($17,015), which are not listed by name. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Abako Foundation?
Abako Foundation reported $543K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $31K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $35K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Abako Foundation fund?
Abako’s stated mission is to improve the classroom experience for children in underserved communities by investing in teachers and removing barriers to better learning. Its website describes work with public-school teachers, education officials, nonprofit organizations, and communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Abako Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Abako Foundation make grants?
Abako’s website describes its work in underserved communities in India, Mali, and Mexico. Its 2025 grant descriptions include projects in those countries. The filing also describes foundation activity in Senegal, where Abako traveled to train staff and acquire books and materials.
What is Abako Foundation's EIN?
Abako Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1120403. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Abako Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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