The Abell Foundation Inc
The Abell Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1953 and incorporated in Maryland. Based in Baltimore, the foundation is exclusively focused on improving outcomes in Baltimore City through grantmaking, research, and catalytic investments. The foundation was founded by Harry C. Black, then chairman of the A.S. Abell Company, a newspaper publishing and television broadcasting company that owned and published the Baltimore Sunpapers. In 1986, when the A.S. Abell Company was purchased by Times-Mirror Company, the foundation received approximately $112 million from the sale, significantly expanding its capacity.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$296.4M
-11.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.4M
-7.7% YoY
Grant Count
391
-6.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$34K
-1.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Abell Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $15.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Abell Foundation is committed to improving health, economic, and educational outcomes in Baltimore City so that all people can thrive. The foundation acknowledges that historic segregation, disinvestment, and persistent racial discrimination have prevented Baltimore from fully realizing its potential.
The foundation operates across seven broad program areas:
- Community Development
- Workforce Development
- Criminal Justice and Addiction
- Education
- Health and Human Services
- Conservation and Environment
- Arts and Culture
Within these areas, the foundation invites requests for demonstration projects, feasibility studies, strategic planning, capital improvements, new construction, equipment, program development and enhancements, research, and program-related investments.
Grantmaking
The Abell Foundation provides three primary types of support to nonprofit community partners:
Review Cycle
to apply.
Grant Types
How to Apply
es:
Ready to take the next step with The Abell Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Abell Foundation focuses exclusively on Baltimore City. The foundation is firmly rooted in and supportive of Baltimore, believing that talent exists in every neighborhood and that Baltimore's people are the city's greatest strength.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $334.7 million
- Total Revenue: $19.4 million
- Total Expenses: $22.2 million
- Total Liabilities: $49.6 million
- Total Giving: $13.4 million
The foundation's assets have grown significantly since its 1986 capital infusion from the Times-Mirror Company sale.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $296,434,535 | $334,676,808 | $318,088,603 |
| Revenue | $13,445,692 | $19,375,292 | $31,876,320 |
| Expenses | $18,185,484 | $22,243,302 | $19,032,460 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $17,560,027 | $19,351,203 | $16,960,399 |
| Net Investment Income | $15,443,621 | $16,221,893 | $33,925,302 |
| Distributable Amount | $15,793,309 | $16,299,188 | $16,254,961 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Abell Foundation Inc
Abell Foundation Small Grants
THE ABELL FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Development Grants- Regular Grants (greater than $10,000)
THE ABELL FOUNDATION INC
Amount
More than US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Development Grants- Small Grants
THE ABELL FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Baltimore Curriculum Project Inc ($250,000), Beloved Community Services Corporation ($250,000), Baltimore's Promise Fund for Educational Excellence ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 29TH STREET COMMUNITY CENTER INC BALTIMORE, MD | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $80,000 |
| 4MYCITY INC TANEYTOWN, MD | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $50,000 |
| 4MYCITY INC TANEYTOWN, MD | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $10,000 |
| ADELANTE LATINA INC BALTIMORE, MD | EDUCATION | $10,000 |
| ADOPT A BLOCK INC BALTIMORE, MD | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF CENTRAL MARYLAND BALTIMORE, MD | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $10,000 |
| AN END TO IGNORANCE INC BALTIMORE, MD | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $25,000 |
| ANOTHER LIFE SAVED ORGANIZATION BALTIMORE, MD | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | $10,000 |
| ARTS EDUCATION IN MARYLAND SCHOOLS ALLIANCE INC BALTIMORE, MD | EDUCATION | $10,000 |
| ARTS FOR LEARNING MARYLAND BALTIMORE, MD | EDUCATION | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Robert C. Embry, Jr. serves as President of the foundation. Timothy J. Lordan serves as Chief Financial Officer with compensation of $248,077.
The foundation employs 17 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGE L BUNTING JR | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| KEVIN ABELL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID BRAMBLE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JACQUELINE HRABOWSKI | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARY PAGE MICHEL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHRISTY WYSKIEL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| FRANCES M KEENAN | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT | 20 | $153,661 |
| ROBERT C EMBRY JR | PRESIDENT | 37.5 | $302,700 |
| ESTHEL SUMMERFIELD | SECRETARY | 37.5 | $116,423 |
| ANDREW A GREEN | VICE PRESIDENT | 37.5 | $283,534 |
| TIMOTHY J LORDAN | CFO | 37.5 | $262,197 |
| EILEEN M O'ROURKE | DIRECTOR IMPACT INVESTING | 22.5 | $204,968 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Abell Foundation Inc fund?
The Abell Foundation is committed to improving health, economic, and educational outcomes in Baltimore City so that all people can thrive. The foundation acknowledges that historic segregation, disinvestment, and persistent racial discrimination have prevented Baltimore from fully realizing its potential. The foundation operates across seven broad program areas: • Community Development • Workforce Development • Criminal Justice and Addiction • Education • Health and Human Services • Conservatio…
How do I apply for a grant from The Abell Foundation Inc?
The Abell Foundation provides three primary types of support to nonprofit community partners: • **Seed funding** for innovative pilots • **Support for ongoing community programs and services** • **Funding for capital projects** The foundation operates two distinct grant application processes: **Small Grants Process:** For grant requests of $10,000 or less. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with no deadline to apply. **Regular Grants Process:** For grant requests greater than $10,000.…
Where does The Abell Foundation Inc make grants?
The Abell Foundation focuses exclusively on Baltimore City. The foundation is firmly rooted in and supportive of Baltimore, believing that talent exists in every neighborhood and that Baltimore's people are the city's greatest strength.
What size grants does The Abell Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Abell Foundation Inc awarded 391 grants totaling $13.4M — an average of about $34K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Abell Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Abell Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $15.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Abell Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Abell Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-6036106. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Abell Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$376K
Grants
1
Total Given
$12K
American Federation for Children Growth
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
11
Total Given
$2.4M
Mayfield Scholastic Ltd
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$38K
Baltimore Curriculum Project Inc
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$17.3M
Grants
6
Total Given
$2.7M
Government Employees' Benefit
HANOVER, MD
Assets
$3K
Grants
43
Total Given
$108K
Charles F and Margaret Mh Obrecht
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
79
Total Given
$131K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Abell Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Abell Foundation Inc to a real strategy.