Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman
Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman is a private foundation based in Baltimore, Maryland. Its 2024 grants supported charitable organizations working on poverty relief, services for people with disabilities, care for older adults, and other community needs.
Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman at a glance
In short: Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman gave $74K across 33 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Maryland. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $74,437
- -30.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 33
- +10.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,256
- -36.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $750
- Total assets
- $526,609
- -6.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (10 of 32, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (51% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Application forms can be requested from the trustee identified on the filing. The filing states that there are no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- See application for applicable deadlines.
- Deadline
- See application for applicable deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Avrum M Kowalsky Trustee
Mailing address: 602 S Atwood Rd - Suite 210, Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 602-0500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Chabad ($10K). Together the top 10 received $60K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($538), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
138 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 138 grants of 138 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 51% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland, 37% to New York, 3% to New Jersey, and 1% to California. The filing also reports an 8% recipient-state category marked “?”.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 32 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $545; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $2K repeat.
- 53% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 198% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $67K (2022) to $106K (2023). In 2024 it made 33 grants totaling $74K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chabad Baltimore, MD | distributions to poor families to enable independent living | $10,000 |
| Yeshivas Lubavitch Baltimore, MD | Community Services for the Poor | $9,700 |
| Cong Aguduth Israel of Boro Park Brooklyn, NY | distributions to poor families to enable independent living | $7,500 |
| Shoresh Inc Baltimore, MD | Program for Handicapped Children | $6,000 |
| Ahavas Yisrael Charity Fund Baltimore, MD | Provide food, shelter, clothing and basic living needs for poor and needy baltimore residents | $5,500 |
| American Friends of Hakav Hameached Staten Island, NY | Respite Programs for Disabled Children | $5,000 |
| Shaare Zedek Medical Center New York, NY | HOSPITAL and respite CARE FOR THE families of the SICK | $5,000 |
| Jewish Caring Network Baltimore, MD | Assist cronically ill patients and their families in association of jhh | $5,000 |
| Congregation Beit ZVI | Meals-on-Wheels Program | $3,000 |
| American Friends of the Red Door IN New York, NY | Synagogue based program for senior citizens | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $526,609 | $81,099 | $118,202 | $74,437 | 33 | $91,477 | $54,866 | $46,186 |
| 2023 | $563,712 | $39,679 | $151,133 | $106,271 | 30 | $124,168 | $13,144 | $48,668 |
| 2022 | $675,166 | $66,018 | $119,765 | $67,112 | 24 | $90,550 | $37,319 | $57,455 |
| 2021 | $728,913 | $110,187 | $118,815 | $70,900 | 26 | $87,900 | $80,034 | $62,108 |
| 2020 | $737,541 | $43,084 | $122,486 | $69,180 | 25 | — | $10,809 | $60,024 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman reported a distributable amount of $46K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations addressing basic needs, disability services, care for older adults, and Jewish community and educational activities. For example, Shoresh Inc describes its work as offering activities, events, and classes about Jewish heritage; DOROT Inc says it works to alleviate social isolation among older adults and help them live independently. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 33 grants totaling $74,437. Grants ranged from $108 to $10,000, with a median of $750. Its largest listed awards included $10,000 to chabad for distributions to poor families, $9,700 to Yeshivas Lubavitch for community services for the poor, and $7,500 to Cong Aguduth Israel of Boro Park for distributions to poor families. Other notable awards included $6,000 to Shoresh Inc for a program for handicapped children, $5,500 to Ahavas Yisrael Charity Fund for basic needs for poor and needy Baltimore residents, and $5,000 each to American Friends of Hakav Hameached, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, and Jewish Caring Network.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sharon Kowalsky as Executive Director and Avrum Kowalsky as Treasurer.
Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman is led by Sharon Kowalsky, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sharon Kowalsky
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$19K (2020) → $17K (2024)
Avrum Kowalsky
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$19K (2020) → $17K (2024)
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 $17K, to Sharon Kowalsky (Executive Direc). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman
How much does Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman give each year?
Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman gave $74K across 33 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $106K across 30 grants.
What is Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman's typical grant size?
Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman's median grant in 2024 was $750, and its average grant was $2,256, across 33 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman that year got $545 on average.
Where does Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman give grants?
Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman gives mostly in Maryland: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (37%). The most frequent recipient cities were Baltimore, MD (6 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Brooklyn, NY (5 grants) and Lakewood, NJ (2 grants).
Does Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 33 grants with a stated purpose on Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (3 grants).
Who are Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman's largest grantees?
Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman's largest 2024 grantees include Chabad ($10,000), Yeshivas Lubavitch ($9,700) and Cong Aguduth Israel of Boro Park ($7,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($538), which are not listed by name. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman?
Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman reported $527K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $91K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $46K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations addressing basic needs, disability services, care for older adults, and Jewish community and educational activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman?
The foundation 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 ↑
What is Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman's EIN?
Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8370192. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/rabbi-abraham-and-shirley-kelman-morg_1da92eff7c1b437f80b0f9b0d9bda1d4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_208370192_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/rabbi-abraham-and-shirley-kelman-morg_1da92eff7c1b437f80b0f9b0d9bda1d4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Rabbi Abraham and Shirley Kelman'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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