The Jayne and Leonard Abess Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2004–2005 and based in Miami, Florida. Operating as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation supports a broad range of charitable causes through strategic philanthropic giving across multiple states and focus areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.6M
+3.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$676K
+4.7% YoY
Grant Count
19
+5.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-0.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a diverse portfolio of causes including:
- Arts and Culture — arts services and arts education
- Education — higher education and educational initiatives
- Philanthropy and Grantmaking — supporting nonprofit organizations
- Community and Economic Development — economic development initiatives
- Employment and Job Training — job services and vocational rehabilitation
- Human Services — social and human services programs
- Religion — with particular attention to Jewish causes
- Health — various health-related initiatives
The foundation places particular emphasis on arts education, job training, and vocational rehabilitation.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 19 grants in its most recent fiscal year. Recent grants include:
Grant Range
s:**
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Jayne and Leonard Abess?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation distributes grants across multiple states, with 46% of grants remaining in Florida. Other states receiving significant support include:
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Maine
- Michigan
- Illinois
- Ohio
- New Hampshire
The foundation supports various cities including Miami, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Year (2024):
- Total Assets: $11,565,216
- Total Revenues: $1,178,196
- Total Expenses: $742,966
- Total Giving: $675,775
- Investment Income and Dividends: $248,007
Prior Year (2023):
- Total Assets: $11.1 Million
- Total Revenues: $1.15 Million
- Total Expenses: $695,000
The foundation maintains a strong financial position with no liabilities and generates revenue primarily through investment income.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,565,216 | $11,134,246 | $11,257,269 |
| Revenue | $1,178,196 | $1,146,952 | $1,211,134 |
| Expenses | $742,966 | $694,800 | $808,027 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $689,080 | $656,445 | $721,216 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,123,193 | $250,281 | $156,737 |
| Distributable Amount | $838,964 | $680,307 | $661,444 |
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
86 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by the Abess family:
- Leonard L. Abess — President and Director
- Jayne Harris Abess — Vice Chair and Director
- Ashley Abess — Director and Secretary
- Brett U. Abess — Director
- Matthew U. Abess — Director
All directors serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEONARD L ABESS | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JAYNE HARRIS ABESS | VICE CHAIR/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ASHLEY ABESS | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW U ABESS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRETT U ABESS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues active grantmaking, with recent contributions to major institutions including The New York Botanical Garden and regional organizations serving Miami and surrounding areas. The foundation maintains regular grant distribution activity, with 19 grants awarded in the most recent reporting period.
Jayne And Leonard Abess Foundation Inc - Full Filing - News AppsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Virgil P Warren Fdn Tr Ua
ORLANDO, FL
Assets
$4.2M
Grants
14
Total Given
$96K
The Fritch Foundation
FT LAUDERDALE, FL
Assets
—
Grants
17
Total Given
$167K
Leiman Asterisk Foundation Inc
DELRAY BEACH, FL
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
2
Total Given
$62K
Rachel Memorial Foundation
SANTA RSA BCH, FL
Assets
—
Grants
6
Total Given
$10K
My Brother'ssister's Keeper Charitable
ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL
Assets
$462K
Grants
1
Total Given
$50K
The Shore Lane Family Foundation Inc
BOCA GRANDE, FL
Assets
$335
Grants
20
Total Given
$430K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Jayne and Leonard Abess 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