The Abelard Foundation Inc
The Abelard Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Seattle, Washington. The foundation describes itself as a family foundation that has supported nonprofit organizations working for progressive social change since 1958, with a focus on early-stage grassroots groups and community organizers.
The Abelard Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Abelard Foundation Inc gave $476K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $43K), mostly in Massachusetts. 73% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $476,281
- +20.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- -21.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $43,298
- +53.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $8,140,255
- +3.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 73% first-time grantees (8 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (69% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Abelard Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit a letter or proposal with the materials described above; the filing names Susan Collins as the application contact. The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- None is listed on the 2025 filing. The website says applications mailed by March 15 are reviewed for the spring meeting and those mailed by September 15 for the fall meeting.
- Deadline
- None is listed on the 2025 filing.
- Next open deadline
- March 15, 2027 (Abelard Foundation – East Grant)
- Contact
Application contact: Susan Collins
Mailing address: 16 Grasshopper Lane, Lincoln, MA 01773
Phone: (781) 259-8470
Website: https://abelardfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Abelard Foundation Inc
Who The Abelard Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund ($326K). Together the top 10 received $461K.
Grant Size Distribution
102 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 100 grants of 102 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its grantmaking is divided by the Mississippi River. Abelard East applicants must be located east of the river; groups west of it may be eligible for support from Abelard West. The foundation primarily supports local organizations, with some consideration for state and regional efforts that have a strong local membership base.
In the 2025 filing, the largest share of grant dollars by recipient state went to Massachusetts (69%), followed by Florida (6%), Illinois (6%), New York (3%), and Pennsylvania (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Abelard Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
73%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 11 grantees (73%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $119K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 27% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 59% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $144K (2023) to $476K (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $476K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Boston, MA | General Charitable Purposes | $326,281 |
| Adelante Student Voices Poughkeepsie, NY | Support | $15,000 |
| Decarcerate Miami - for Beyond the Bars Miami, FL | Support | $15,000 |
| Philly Black Worker Project Philadelphia, PA | Support | $15,000 |
| Action Institute NC Charlotte, NC | Support | $15,000 |
| Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment Chicago, IL | Support | $15,000 |
| Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center Cincinnati, OH | Support | $15,000 |
| Nashville Organized for Action & Hope Nashville, TN | Support | $15,000 |
| People First Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI | Support | $15,000 |
| Prism FL Pompano Beach, FL | Support | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Abelard Foundation Inc?
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 | $8,140,255 | $919,043 | $633,603 | $476,281 | 11 | $529,071 | $824,638 | $566,433 |
| 2024 | $7,854,815 | $634,465 | $519,673 | $396,000 | 14 | $433,416 | $559,188 | $544,534 |
| 2023 | $7,740,023 | $752,302 | $280,096 | $144,000 | 11 | $188,793 | $660,999 | $491,729 |
| 2022 | $7,267,817 | $384,715 | $530,216 | $300,000 | 28 | $443,860 | $301,558 | $499,803 |
| 2021 | $7,413,318 | $1,058,898 | $580,434 | $424,000 | 38 | $474,664 | $810,128 | $558,885 |
| 2020 | $6,934,854 | $501,200 | $540,080 | $349,000 | 36 | — | $297,704 | $491,274 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Abelard Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $566K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Abelard East supports local progressive social change that expands and protects civil liberties and civil and human rights, and strengthens community involvement in decisions affecting people’s lives. Its central strategy is community organizing, including developing local leadership and connecting local work with broader policy efforts. The foundation does not identify a particular issue area as its focus.
The foundation prioritizes projects in their first years of development and organizations with budgets below $300,000. Its guidelines describe the constituents served by grantees as poor and low-income people, including immigrants, workers, people of color, disabled people, and others seeking to affirm their civil or human rights. It primarily supports local organizations, while considering some state and regional efforts with a strong local membership base.
The 2025 grantees include organizations whose own descriptions reflect varied organizing and rights-related work. For example, the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center says it advocates for and protects immigrant workers’ rights; the Philly Black Worker Project says it leads campaigns to advance Black workers’ rights and job quality; and People First Wisconsin says it creates opportunities for people with disabilities to speak up on issues including healthcare, voting, employment, housing, and transportation. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $476,281. The median grant was $15,000; the foundation’s website describes its average grant as $10,000 and says it makes approximately 15 grants annually, generally including five new grants. Most grants are for general support. Grants are approved for one year, and the foundation will consider two renewal requests.
The largest reported 2025 grant was $326,281 to Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund in Boston, for general charitable purposes. The fund describes itself as a public charity that makes grants on behalf of individuals and families who create donor-advised funds. Other listed grants included $15,000 each to Adelante Student Voices, Decarcerate Miami – For Beyond the Bars, Action Institute NC, and the Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment.
The foundation’s website says applications can be made at any time and describes a proposal and supporting materials for submission. It asks applicants to review its eligibility and program guidelines, and encourages use of its online application form before mailing a full proposal. The full proposal should be no more than 7–10 pages and describe the organization, the proposed work, the need, and expected impact. Requested supporting materials include an organizational budget, IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, brief staff and board biographies, board list, demographic data about the board and staff, a list of private supporters and grant amounts, and a recent financial statement. The website says proposals are generally reviewed over three to four months, with board meetings generally in June and November. The 2025 filing states that applications may be made by letter, lists no deadlines, and reports no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Pat Flowers, Rachael Blessing, Sara Blessing, Kristen Wells, Heather Buck, Haleryn Dunlap, Adam Dunlap, George Wells, and Shea Breaux Wells as board members. Travis Buck is listed as treasurer.
The Abelard Foundation Inc is led by Ashley Crawford, Co-President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 45 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ashley Crawford
Co-President
Board Member → Co-President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Hamlin Schreck
Vice President & Co-President
Vice President & President → Vice President & Co-President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adele Bernhard
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Buddy Bernhard
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anna Bernhard
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Audrey Schreck
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Collins
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cecil Crawford
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Celeste Schreck
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Schreck
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claire Stapleton
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Schreck
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald Collins
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Garrett Collins
Board Member
Immediate Past President → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Wells
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Buck
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Bernhard
Secretary & Ass't Treasurer
Assistant Secretary → Secretary & Ass't Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julia Bernhard
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Wells
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lena Neufeld
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mason Schreck
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Bernhard
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Bernhard
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Doll
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pat Flowers
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Hewitt
Board Member
Secretary & Ass't Treasurer → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Carty
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Neufeld
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Workman
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachael Blessing
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Renteria Schreck
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Blessing
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shane Neufeld
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shea Breaux Wells
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheryl Bernhard
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Bernhard
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Collins
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Juarez Schreck
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Ag Schreck
Vice President & Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Travis Buck
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Dunlap
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Haleryn Dunlap
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cj Crawford
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Gutman
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alice Hough
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Frances Magee (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Melissa Blessing (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Susan M. Wells (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Albert Schreck (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Haleryn Buck (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.
Frequently asked questions about The Abelard Foundation Inc
How much does The Abelard Foundation Inc give each year?
The Abelard Foundation Inc gave $476K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $396K across 14 grants.
What is The Abelard Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Abelard Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $43,298, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Abelard Foundation Inc that year got $15K on average.
Where does The Abelard Foundation Inc give grants?
The Abelard Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (6%) and Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does The Abelard Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 9% of The Abelard Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Support" (10 grants).
Who are The Abelard Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Abelard Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund ($326,281), Adelante Student Voices ($15,000) and Decarcerate Miami - for Beyond the Bars ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Abelard Foundation Inc?
The Abelard Foundation Inc reported $8.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $529K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $566K (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 The Abelard Foundation Inc fund?
Abelard East supports local progressive social change that expands and protects civil liberties and civil and human rights, and strengthens community involvement in decisions affecting people’s lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Abelard Foundation Inc?
Submit a letter or proposal with the materials described above; the filing names Susan Collins as the application contact. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Abelard Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Abelard Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6064580. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 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 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in Washington
Washington Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Abelard Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Common Counsel Foundation
Oakland, CA
Common Counsel Foundation supports community-led social justice, organizing, movement building, and structural change, with national reach and some funds focused specifically on California. Its 2024 grants had a median of $30,000, while its Grassroots Exchange Fund typically awards $1,000; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$67.5M
Grants
621
Total Given
$101.2M
Ben & Jerry's Foundation Inc
South Burlington, VT
It funds grassroots organizing for progressive social and environmental change nationally, as well as community programs in Vermont. In 2024, grants ranged from $26 to $295,000, with a $2,000 median; active Vermont Community Action Team grants are generally under $2,000. The national grassroots program is closed and not accepting applications; Vermont Community Action Team accepts online applications year-round.
Assets
$9.2M
Grants
448
Total Given
$4.2M
NEO Philanthropy Inc
New York, NY
NEO Philanthropy funds social-justice movements and community organizations, including work on immigration, democracy, reproductive, racial and climate justice, and LGBTQ rights. In 2024, its 558 grants ranged from $5,000 to $23.58 million, with a median of $50,000; grants went mainly to Washington state, Washington, DC, North Carolina, California, and New York. It does not accept unsolicited requests or proposals; potential grantees are generally invited to apply.
Assets
$185.6M
Grants
558
Total Given
$103.5M
Borealis Philanthropy
Minneapolis, MN
Borealis Philanthropy funds grassroots leaders, organizations, and movements advancing racial equity, disability justice, Black-led movements, and communities affected by policing. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $1.28 million, with a median of $80,000, and went to recipients across multiple states, especially California. Some program listings invite applications or requests, including the Disability Inclusion Fund and the Fund for Trans Generations Rapid Response Fund.
Assets
$78.2M
Grants
360
Total Given
$37.3M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
More similar funders
More Funders in Washington
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Abelard Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-abelard-foundation-inc-morg_fa6997a1ffed44419231e2fb8e255f6f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136064580_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Abelard Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-abelard-foundation-inc-morg_fa6997a1ffed44419231e2fb8e255f6f},
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 The Abelard Foundation Inc'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.
The Abelard Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?