The Abington Foundation
The Abington Foundation is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio, serving Cuyahoga County. Established in 1983 by David Knight Ford and Elizabeth Kingsley Brooks Ford, it supports nonprofit organizations working in education, pathways to economic independence, healthcare, and cultural activities.
The Abington Foundation at a glance
In short: The Abington Foundation gave $2.0M across 75 grants in 2024 (avg $26K), mostly in Ohio. 15% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,986,500
- +31.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 75
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $26,487
- +22.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $35,507,737
- +6.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (11 of 74, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (97% 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 The Abington Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applications must be submitted online. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) organizations based in Cuyahoga County whose services or programming fit one of the foundation’s four focus areas. Organizations outside the region will be considered only if invited by a Trustee. Applications are reviewed by staff and the board; applicants are notified through the electronic grants system within two weeks of the board meeting.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are due December 1, April 1, and September 1. The board meets in March, June, and November, respectively.
- Deadline
- Applications are due December 1, April 1, and September 1.
- Contact
Application contact: The Abington Foundation Co Foundati
Mailing address: 1422 Euclid Avenue Suite 966, Cleveland, OH 44115-1592
Phone: (216) 621-2901
Website: https://abingtonfoundation.org
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 Abington Foundation
Who The Abington Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cleveland Zoological Society ($250K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
342 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 315 grants of 342 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation accepts applications from organizations based in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Organizations located outside the region are considered only if invited by a Trustee. In 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio, 2% to Pennsylvania, and 1% to Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 75 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Abington Foundation open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 74 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $38K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+8%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 120% 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 $1.5M (2023) to $2.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 75 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Zoological Society Cleveland, OH | For construction of the new primate forest in 2024-25 | $250,000 |
| The Centers for Families and Children Cleveland, OH | Over two years, for the capital campaign to renovate cleveland christian home to serve as the Cuyahoga county child wellness campus and welcome center | $200,000 |
| Lake View Cemetery Foundation Cleveland, OH | Over two years for phase iii of the restoration of the garfield memorial | $150,000 |
| Urban Community School Cleveland, OH | Over two years, to construct an athletic center in 2024-25 | $125,000 |
| The City Club of Cleveland Cleveland, OH | Over Two Years for a New Headquarters | $75,000 |
| Neighborhood Health Care Inc DBA Neighborhood Family Practice Cleveland, OH | To expand services at a new site in 2024 | $75,000 |
| The Metrohealth Foundation Cleveland, OH | For the Mobile Clinic Outreach Program in 2024 | $50,000 |
| Birthing Beautiful Communities Cleveland, OH | To Construct a Birth Center in 2024-25 | $45,000 |
| Support Center for Child Advocates Philadelphia, PA | To provide legal representation and advocacy to low-income children with behavioral health needs in fy25 | $30,000 |
| Musical Arts Association Cleveland, OH | For education concerts and music resources for cmsd students in 2024-25 | $25,000 |
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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 | $35,507,737 | $3,111,669 | $2,307,202 | $1,986,500 | 75 | $2,207,029 | $3,011,487 | $1,842,096 |
| 2023 | $33,513,413 | $397,605 | $1,798,663 | $1,513,500 | 70 | $1,711,523 | $747,056 | $1,576,968 |
| 2022 | $30,831,158 | $950,005 | $1,974,618 | $1,581,666 | 64 | $1,776,646 | $1,127,735 | $1,639,180 |
| 2021 | $38,693,202 | $6,029,461 | $2,185,492 | $1,834,992 | 72 | $2,026,109 | $5,909,989 | $1,836,972 |
| 2020 | $35,786,307 | $3,763,234 | $2,113,753 | $1,786,667 | 61 | — | $2,606,131 | $1,518,387 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Abington Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.8M 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
The foundation’s primary focus is education, including programs that advance urban education, promote literacy, and provide access to quality early childhood education. Its additional interests are pathways to economic independence—such as job readiness, employment access, family stability, financial literacy, and technology training—healthcare access for elderly and other vulnerable populations, and cultural activities. It supports local cultural institutions and historic landmarks, especially those offering educational programming and school residencies.
The foundation seeks to partner with nonprofit organizations serving primarily low-income populations in Cuyahoga County. Its 2024 grants included support for a range of organizations and projects. For example, the Cleveland Zoological Society received a grant for construction of a new primate forest; the society describes itself as the nonprofit partner of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, raising awareness and securing private donations for operating and conservation funding. The Centers for Families and Children received support for a capital campaign; it describes its mission as fighting for equity by healing, teaching, and inspiring individuals and families. Lake View Cemetery Foundation received support for restoration of the Garfield Memorial; it describes its work as preserving the cemetery’s historic buildings, monuments, and gardens and providing educational outreach. The City Club of Cleveland received support for a new headquarters and describes its mission as creating consequential conversations that help democracy thrive.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 75 grants totaling $1,986,500. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $250,000, with a median award of $15,000. Notable awards included $250,000 to the Cleveland Zoological Society, $200,000 to The Centers for Families and Children, $150,000 to Lake View Cemetery Foundation, and $125,000 to Urban Community School. Other awards included $75,000 each to The City Club of Cleveland and Neighborhood Health Care, Inc. dba Neighborhood Family Practice, and $50,000 to The MetroHealth Foundation.
Priority is given to specific programs or projects. The foundation discourages requests for endowment, sponsorships, seminars, or general operating support. It also gives preference to organizations and activities supported by the founders during their lifetimes. Organizations must submit any required interim or final report on a prior grant before a new request can be considered. The application materials state that the foundation awards one grant per organization per year. Capital campaign requests must include a Capital Campaign Checklist.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are Charles K Ford, PhD, President; David Ford Jr, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer; and Trustees Hope Murphy, John Ford, Sarah Ford Whitener, Ned Ford, Lise Ford, Leslie Ford, Ted Ford, and Chloe Peeples.
The Abington Foundation is led by Charles K. Ford PhD, President since 2024 (on filings since 2022); none of the 12 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Charles K. Ford PhD
President
Trustee → Vice President & Secretary, 2023
Vice President & Secretary → President, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Ford
Trustee
Trustee → President, 2022
President → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ned Ford
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Ford Whitener
Trustee
Vice President → President, 2023
President → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dylan Ford
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hope Murphy
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lise Ford
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Ford
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nate Ford
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chloe Peeples
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ted Ford
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Ford Jr.
Vice President, Sec'y & Treasurer
Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Vice President, Sec'y & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Drew Ford (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Jeanne Ford (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Abby Murphy (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Allen H. Ford (2020–2022) — Life Trustee
- Former: Alyssia Daley (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: David K. Ford (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Donald Ford (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Lissa Murphy (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Emma Ford (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Windsor Ford (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Laura Perrotta Ford (2020) — Trustee
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Abington Foundation
How much does The Abington Foundation give each year?
The Abington Foundation gave $2.0M across 75 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 70 grants.
What is The Abington Foundation's typical grant size?
The Abington Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $26,487, across 75 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Abington Foundation that year got $38K on average.
Where does The Abington Foundation give grants?
The Abington Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (61 grants), Parma, OH (2 grants) and Chagrin Falls, OH (2 grants).
Does The Abington Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of The Abington Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 75) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "For Program Support in 2024" (3 grants).
Who are The Abington Foundation's largest grantees?
The Abington Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Cleveland Zoological Society ($250,000), The Centers for Families and Children ($215,000 across 2 grants) and Lake View Cemetery Foundation ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Abington Foundation?
The Abington Foundation reported $35.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Abington Foundation fund?
The foundation’s primary focus is education, including programs that advance urban education, promote literacy, and provide access to quality early childhood education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Abington Foundation?
Applications must be submitted online. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Abington Foundation's EIN?
The Abington Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1404854. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Abington Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Abington Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-abington-foundation-morg_14c1d232745f40fd815176ff46288b98
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_341404854_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Abington Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-abington-foundation-morg_14c1d232745f40fd815176ff46288b98},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Abington Foundation'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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