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
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:
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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
No grants recorded for .
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 |
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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