Talbert & Leota Abrams Foundation
The Talbert & Leota Abrams Foundation is a private family foundation established in the 1960s by Talbert "Ted" Abrams and his wife Leota. Based in Troy, Michigan, the foundation maintains a board of directors composed entirely of family members spanning the third and fourth generations of the Abrams family. The foundation operates with a staff of one employee and manages assets of approximately $8 million.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$273K
-5.3% YoY
Grant Count
15
-6.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
+1.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is to establish, create, and steward opportunities for disadvantaged families and individuals with an emphasis on outdoor heritage.
The foundation's grantmaking has evolved over time. Initially, it focused on science and education projects in Michigan, including Ted's original grant to build The Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University. Notable historical grants include a $2 million contribution to the Abrams Genealogy Collection at the Michigan Archives and support for the Parenting Program Resource Room at Beaumont Hospital.
Current giving relationships span diverse areas including:
- Programs to educate new parents
- High school robotics
- Hunting and fishing for the disabled
- Assistance with everyday needs of young families battling cancer
- Visual and performing arts
- Cancer support services
- Veteran programs
- General charitable purposes
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are made by invitation only, with the board selecting nonprofits based on personal areas of interest of individual board members.
Grant Range
$2,000-$71,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports initiatives in Michigan and Ohio, with documented grant activity in cities including Birmingham, Lansing, and Southfield in Michigan, as well as Sylvania in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $7,981,200
- Total revenues: $396,084
- Total expenses: $497,120
- Total giving: $272,700-$424,886
- Number of grants: 15-25
Historical Trends:
| Year | Total Assets | Total Giving | Number of Grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,981,200 | $272,700-$424,886 | 15-25 |
| 2023 | $8,100,000 | $288,000 | 16 |
| 2022 | $8,100,000 | $363,000 | 16 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Zero Day ($50,000), The Path Foundation ($40,000), Foundation for Hope Outdoor Adventure ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FOUNDATION FOR HOPE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE FENTON, MI | GENERAL FUND | $30,000 |
| FRIENDS OF FOSTER KIDS SHELBY TWP, MI | GENERAL FUND | $2,700 |
| GILDA'S CLUB METRO DETROIT ROYAL OAK, MI | GENERAL FUND AND KIDS CONNECT PROGRAM | $22,000 |
| KIDS KICKING CANCER SOUTHFIELD, MI | GENERAL FUND | $20,000 |
| LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND ROCHESTER HILLS, MI | HELP EMPOWER PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED WITH SKILLS FOR SAFE AND INDEPENDENT DAILY TRAVEL | $7,500 |
| MICHIGAN HISTORY FOUNDATION - ARCHIVES OF MICHIGAN LANSING, MI | SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION OF MICHIGAN'S HISTORY THROUGH DOCUMENT, PICTURE, FILM, AND AUDIO TAPE RECORDS. | $8,500 |
| MICHIGAN UNITED CONSERVATION CLUBS LANSING, MI | CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES | $20,000 |
| NEW DAY FOUNDATION FOR FAMILIES ROCHESTER, MI | HELP FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY CANCER | $25,000 |
| R&E FAMILY FOUNDATION BRUCE TWP, MI | GENERAL FUND | $20,000 |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ANN ARBOR, MI | TO SUPPORT THE MOTT TOY STORE AT THE C.S. MOTT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
Kyle Abbott — President Great niece of Talbert and Leota Abrams with over 35 years of service on the foundation board. Kyle has witnessed the foundation's evolution from its early focus on science and education to its current diverse grantmaking portfolio. She is personally passionate about the visual and performing arts, cancer support services, and youth development through robotics. Compensation: $95,000 (15 hours/week).
Shane Patzer — Vice President & Treasurer Great-great nephew of Talbert and Leota Abrams with fond childhood memories of "Uncle Ted" and "Aunt Leota," including their "Airplane House" in Lansing, Michigan. Compensation: $25,000 (4 hours/week).
Marcy Patzer — Member Compensation: $10,000 (2 hours/week).
The board structure reflects the foundation's commitment to multigenerational family involvement, with third and fourth generation family members now serving as "Next Generation Grantmakers."
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KYLE C ABBOTT | PRESIDENT | 15 | $95,000 |
| SHANE PATZER | VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY/T | 4 | $25,000 |
| MARCY PATZER | MEMBER | 2 | $10,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Talbert & Leota Abrams Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary mission is to establish, create, and steward opportunities for disadvantaged families and individuals with an emphasis on outdoor heritage. The foundation's grantmaking has evolved over time. Initially, it focused on science and education projects in Michigan, including Ted's original grant to build The Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University. Notable historical grants include a $2 million contribution to the Abrams Genealogy Collection at the Michigan Archives …
How do I apply for a grant from Talbert & Leota Abrams Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: approximately $273,000-$288,000 (2023-2024) • Number of grants: 15-16 annually • Grant range: $2,000-$71,000 • Median grant size: $13,333-$20,000 • Giving rate: approximately 3.4%-5.3% of assets **Recent Grants (2024):** • Zero Day Mi Placemakers: $50,000 (Veteran Programs) • Foundation for Hope Outdoor Adventures: $30,000 (General Fund) • The New Day Foundation for Families: $25,000 (Help Families Affected by Cancer) **Application Process:** The foundation …
Where does Talbert & Leota Abrams Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports initiatives in Michigan and Ohio, with documented grant activity in cities including Birmingham, Lansing, and Southfield in Michigan, as well as Sylvania in Ohio.
What size grants does Talbert & Leota Abrams Foundation award?
In 2024, Talbert & Leota Abrams Foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $273K — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Talbert & Leota Abrams Foundation's EIN?
Talbert & Leota Abrams Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6082194. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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