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Abramson Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $2.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,529,418 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $2,000,000
  • Median Grant: $25,000
  • Geographic Focus: Pennsylvania (primary), Florida, national
  • Total Assets: $22.7 million

Contact Details

Address: 376 Regatta Drive, Jupiter, FL 33477

Phone: (215) 542-1222

Email: foundation@tmmb.net

Application Method: Letter

Overview

The Abramson Family Foundation was established in 1996 in Florida as a private family foundation. With assets of $22.7 million and annual giving of approximately $7.5 million, the foundation is led by healthcare pioneer Leonard Abramson, founder and former CEO of U.S. Healthcare (sold to Aetna for $8.3 billion in 1996), along with his three daughters: Nancy Abramson Wolfson, Judith Abramson Felgoise, and Marcy Abramson Shoemaker. The foundation primarily supports Jewish organizations, educational institutions, and health associations, with a particular focus on Pennsylvania-based organizations. The Abramson family has contributed over $163 million to cancer research at the University of Pennsylvania, reflecting their deep commitment to medical research and education. The foundation made 25 grants in 2024 and 26 grants in 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a traditional family foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking. Recent grants include:

  • Major Institutional Grants: $2,000,000 (Jupiter Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania)
  • Standard Grants: $5,000 - $25,000 (typical range)

Priority Areas

Healthcare and Medical Research

  • Cancer research and treatment facilities
  • Medical centers and hospitals
  • Pediatric research centers

Education

  • Universities and colleges (particularly Pennsylvania institutions)
  • Jewish educational initiatives
  • Scholarship programs

Jewish Organizations

  • Jewish community centers and organizations
  • Senior care facilities serving Jewish communities
  • Jewish cultural and religious institutions

Geographic Priorities

  • Strong preference for Pennsylvania organizations (particularly Greater Philadelphia area)
  • Florida organizations (particularly Jupiter and surrounding areas)
  • National organizations with connections to family interests

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available. As a private family foundation, grants appear to be concentrated within the foundation's areas of historical commitment rather than broad community giving.

Governance and Leadership

Leonard Abramson (Trustee, Founder) Healthcare pioneer and philanthropist who founded U.S. Healthcare in 1975 and built it into one of the nation's largest managed care organizations. Author of "Healing Our Health Care System" (1990). With his late wife Madlyn, Leonard established the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania and has donated over $140 million to cancer research. Leonard recently made a $10 million donation to Jupiter Medical Center to establish an endowed chair of cardiac surgery in honor of his late wife.

Nancy Abramson Wolfson (Trustee) - Compensation: $73,501 (2024) Daughter of Leonard and Madlyn Abramson. Founder of Philly Fights Cancer, which has raised more than $39 million for cancer research benefiting clinical trials at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and other institutions. Active in cancer research philanthropy for decades.

Judith Abramson Felgoise (Trustee) - Compensation: $73,501 (2024) Daughter of Leonard and Madlyn Abramson. Serves as trustee managing foundation operations and grantmaking decisions.

Marcy Abramson Shoemaker (Trustee) - Compensation: $73,501 (2024) Daughter of Leonard and Madlyn Abramson. Serves as trustee managing foundation operations and grantmaking decisions.

Joseph M. Yohlin (Trustee) - Compensation: $0 (2024) Non-family trustee serving on the board.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications by letter. There are no published deadlines or formal application cycles. The foundation does not maintain a public website or detailed application guidelines.

Application Address: Abramson Family Foundation 376 Regatta Drive Jupiter, FL 33477

Contact: Phone: (215) 542-1222 Email: foundation@tmmb.net

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available. As a private family foundation with quarterly or periodic board meetings, decisions are likely made on a rolling basis as applications are reviewed by the trustees.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. In 2024, the foundation made 25 grants from an unknown number of applications received.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available regarding reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this family foundation and limited public information about their grantmaking criteria, successful applications likely share these characteristics:

Alignment with Family Legacy The Abramson family's healthcare background and major gifts to cancer research suggest strong preference for:

  • Medical research institutions, particularly cancer-related
  • Healthcare facilities and programs
  • Educational institutions with medical programs

Pennsylvania Connections The family's deep roots in Pennsylvania (Leonard Abramson is originally from Philadelphia) result in:

  • Strong preference for Pennsylvania-based organizations
  • Particularly Greater Philadelphia area institutions
  • Organizations where the family has existing relationships

Jewish Community Ties

  • Organizations serving the Jewish community
  • Jewish educational institutions
  • Senior care facilities with Jewish focus (the Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life is named after the family)

Established Institutions Recent grant recipients suggest preference for:

  • Well-established organizations with proven track records
  • Major universities and medical centers
  • Organizations where grants can make meaningful impact

Major Gift Capacity While the median grant is $25,000, the foundation has demonstrated capacity for transformational gifts of $2 million or more to aligned organizations, particularly for named programs or facilities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking; there is no formal public application process or competitive grant cycles
  • Pennsylvania connections are critical - the foundation shows strong preference for Pennsylvania organizations, particularly in the Greater Philadelphia area where the family has deep roots
  • Alignment with healthcare and Jewish philanthropy is essential - the family's legacy in healthcare and commitment to Jewish causes should guide organizations in determining fit
  • Relationship matters - as a private foundation, grants often go to organizations where trustees have existing relationships or knowledge
  • Consider the scale - while the median grant is $25,000, the foundation has capacity for major gifts ($2 million) to priority institutions
  • Major donor recognition opportunities - the family has historically made naming gifts (Abramson Cancer Center, Abramson Professorship, Madlyn K. Abramson Plaza), suggesting openness to recognition for significant contributions
  • Contact should be professional and concise - a well-written letter of inquiry to foundation@tmmb.net or the Jupiter address is the appropriate first step

References

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