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Louis And Anne Abrons Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$8.4M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.8M

Louis And Anne Abrons Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8.4 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $152 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $250 - $771,075
  • Median Grant: $10,000
  • Number of Grants: 227 grants (2024), 236 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York and California, with national reach
  • Founded: 1951

Contact Details

Administrative Contact: c/o Foundation Source Phone: 800-839-1754

Location: Wilmington, DE 19809

EIN: 13-6061329

Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation was established in 1951 by Louis W. Abrons, a prominent New York City property developer and builder who made his fortune running a construction company during the 1920s and 1930s. Since Louis Abrons' death in 1977, the foundation has been managed by his family across multiple generations, maintaining the family's deep commitment to social justice, arts, and community support. With total assets of approximately $152 million and annual distributions of $8.4 million, the foundation supports performing arts initiatives, humanitarian projects, environmental causes, and progressive advocacy organizations primarily in New York and around the United States. The foundation is known for its long-standing partnerships with organizations like Henry Street Settlement, which the family has supported for over a century, and its grants range from modest $250 contributions to major investments exceeding $700,000. The foundation embodies the philanthropic philosophy articulated by Richard Abrons, former president: "never stifle a generous impulse."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private family foundation making grants exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. All grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees.

Grant Distribution:

  • Median Grant: $10,000
  • Grant Range: $250 - $771,075
  • Most Common Award: $10,000
  • Total Annual Grants: 227 (2024), 236 (2023)

Support Type:

  • Primarily unrestricted general operating support
  • Some program-specific grants
  • Capital support for long-term partners
  • Scholarship funds

Priority Areas

Social Services & Human Development:

  • Community-based social service organizations
  • Workforce development and education programs
  • Homeless services and housing support
  • Youth programs and services
  • Settlement houses and community centers

Arts & Culture:

  • Performing arts organizations
  • Arts centers and cultural institutions
  • Particularly strong support for New York arts organizations
  • Arts education programs

Environmental & Climate:

  • Climate action organizations (e.g., 350.org - $260,000 in 2024, $310,000 in 2022)
  • Environmental litigation and advocacy (e.g., Earthjustice - $131,000+ in 2017)
  • Natural Resources Defense Council ($110,000 in 2022)
  • Climate Justice Alliance and related organizations

Social Justice & Policy:

  • Reproductive rights organizations (e.g., Planned Parenthood - $250,000 in 2017)
  • Civil liberties (e.g., ACLU Foundation - $200,000+ in 2017)
  • Progressive advocacy organizations
  • Left-of-center policy initiatives

Jewish Causes:

  • Organizations serving the Jewish community
  • Cultural and educational programs

Education:

  • Higher education institutions (e.g., University of New Hampshire - $230,500 in 2024)
  • Educational access and opportunity programs
  • Scholarship initiatives for low-income youth

Geographic Focus:

  • Strong emphasis on New York City and New York State
  • California (particularly Bay Area)
  • National organizations aligned with priorities

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, their giving pattern suggests:

  • No grants to individuals
  • No unsolicited applications accepted
  • Focus on established organizations with proven track records

Governance and Leadership

The Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation is governed by a board composed primarily of Abrons family members, maintaining the family's multi-generational commitment to philanthropy.

Current Leadership (as of recent filings):

  • Peter Abrons - Co-President
  • Leslie Abrons - Co-President
  • Henry L. Abrons - Treasurer
  • Adam Abrons - Trustee

Note: Richard Abrons, who passed away, previously served as President of the Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation and was described as Henry Street Settlement's "greatest individual financial supporter."

Philanthropic Philosophy:

Richard Abrons articulated the foundation's approach with his guiding principle: "never stifle a generous impulse." This philosophy reflects the family's generational commitment to social justice rooted in their own history—Louis Abrons and Anne Schroeder met at a Henry Street Settlement dance in 1905, after Henry Street founder Lillian Wald had helped Anne's impoverished widowed mother by hiring her to sew nurses' uniforms.

The foundation demonstrates:

  • Long-term partnership approach (supporting Henry Street Settlement for 123+ years)
  • Belief in alleviating poverty and providing opportunities
  • Commitment to social justice and community support
  • Willingness to make both small and transformational gifts

Board Compensation: Board members serve without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

How Grants Are Awarded:

  • Grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees
  • The foundation identifies and selects organizations to support
  • Funding decisions appear to be based on:
    • Long-standing relationships and partnerships
    • Board members' knowledge of and connection to organizations
    • Alignment with the foundation's social justice mission
    • Geographic connection to New York and California

Top Recent Grant Recipients (2024):

  1. Henry Street Settlement - $771,075
  2. 350.org - $260,000
  3. University of New Hampshire - $230,500

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Grant decisions are made internally by the board throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation selects organizations to support rather than responding to applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional "application success factors" do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values can help organizations determine if they might be a fit for future consideration:

Foundation Values & Preferences:

  1. Long-term Partnership Approach: The foundation has supported Henry Street Settlement for over a century, demonstrating a preference for sustained, deep relationships rather than one-off grants.

  2. Social Justice Mission: The foundation supports organizations working on progressive causes including environmental justice, reproductive rights, civil liberties, and poverty alleviation.

  3. Guiding Philosophy: Richard Abrons' principle to "never stifle a generous impulse" suggests the foundation values bold, compassionate approaches to social change.

  4. Geographic Connection: Strong preference for organizations based in or serving New York City and California, though national organizations receive support when aligned with priorities.

  5. Unrestricted Support: The majority of grants are for general and unrestricted support, indicating trust in grantee leadership and organizational mission.

Recent Funding Patterns Show Support For:

  • Environmental and climate justice organizations (350.org, NRDC, Earthjustice, Climate Justice Alliance)
  • Social service providers with deep community roots (Henry Street Settlement)
  • Reproductive rights and civil liberties organizations (Planned Parenthood, ACLU)
  • Arts and cultural institutions, particularly in New York
  • Educational institutions and scholarship programs

Scale of Support:

  • Willing to make both small grants ($250) and major investments ($771,075)
  • Median grant of $10,000 suggests accessible support for smaller organizations
  • Largest grants go to long-term partners and major national organizations

What This Means for Organizations: If your organization aligns strongly with the foundation's values and geographic focus, you may already be on their radar through sector networks, shared board connections, or reputation within the New York/California progressive nonprofit community. The foundation appears to identify organizations through their trustees' involvement and knowledge of the sector rather than through a formal application process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals—they identify and select organizations to support internally.

  • Family Foundation with Deep Roots: Managed by the Abrons family for over 70 years, with a philanthropic legacy dating back to the early 1900s when the founders benefited from support themselves.

  • Progressive Social Justice Focus: Clear alignment with environmental justice, reproductive rights, civil liberties, and social services—organizations should have demonstrable commitment to these values.

  • Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: The foundation's century-long support of Henry Street Settlement exemplifies their preference for deep, sustained partnerships over transactional funding.

  • Geographic Preference with National Reach: While focused on New York and California, the foundation supports national organizations (like 350.org and Planned Parenthood) that align with their progressive mission.

  • Flexible Grant Sizing: With grants ranging from $250 to over $700,000 and a median of $10,000, the foundation adapts grant size to organizational need and relationship depth.

  • Unrestricted Operating Support: The majority of grants provide general operating support, reflecting trust in organizational leadership and mission alignment over restricted project funding.

References

  1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Louis And Anne Abrons Foundation Inc (EIN: 13-6061329) https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136061329 Accessed January 2026

  2. Grantmakers.io Profile - Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation Inc. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/136061329-louis-and-anne-abrons-foundation-inc/ Accessed January 2026

  3. InfluenceWatch - Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/louis-and-anne-abrons-foundation/ Accessed January 2026

  4. Henry Street Settlement - "Remembering Richard Abrons" https://www.henrystreet.org/news/latest-news/remembering-richard-abrons/ Accessed January 2026 Quote: "never stifle a generous impulse" - Richard Abrons

  5. Candid Foundation Directory - Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation Inc https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?collection=grantmakers&key=ABRO001 Accessed January 2026

  6. Charity Navigator - Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation Inc. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/136061329 Accessed January 2026

  7. Philanthropy New York - Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation https://philanthropynewyork.org/redhen/org/831 Accessed January 2026

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