May P & Francis L Abreu Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $425,580 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: 1-2 months after September deadline
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $100,580
• Geographic Focus: Metropolitan Atlanta (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett counties)

Contact Details

• Website: www.abreufoundation.org
• Corporate Trustee: Truist Bank
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4655, Mail Code: 803-05-15-20, Atlanta, GA 30302

Overview

The May P & Francis L Abreu Charitable Trust, established in 1977, is a private foundation with assets of approximately $8.9 million that honors the philanthropic legacy of May Patterson Abreu (Atlanta's first "Woman of the Year" in 1943) and her husband, renowned architect Francis Luis Abreu. The Trust makes 26-30 grants annually totaling over $400,000 to organizations in Metropolitan Atlanta, focusing on animal welfare, children's services, and senior services. Operating on an invitation-only basis since recent years, the Trust is governed by a Distribution Committee that includes three grandchildren of the founders along with community members. The foundation maintains a strong commitment to organizations serving those most at risk due to health issues and difficult social circumstances, preferentially funding smaller nonprofits with annual budgets under $5 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Capital Campaigns: $2,500 - $100,580 (invitation-only, annual cycle)
• Program Development: $2,500 - $100,580 (invitation-only, annual cycle)
• Seed Money: $2,500 - $100,580 (invitation-only, annual cycle)
• Matching Funds: $2,500 - $100,580 (invitation-only, annual cycle)

Priority Areas

• Animal welfare organizations
• Children's services and youth development
• Senior services and aging support
• Organizations serving those with grave health issues
• Organizations addressing difficult social circumstances
• Secondary focus: Education, human services, and philanthropy infrastructure

What They Don't Fund

• General operating expenses or unrestricted support
• Direct grants to individuals
• Organizations outside Metropolitan Atlanta (rare exceptions for areas where Abreus lived: Fort Lauderdale, Sea Island/coastal Georgia)
• Organizations with annual budgets exceeding $5 million (unless legacy organizations or special family interest)

Governance and Leadership

Distribution Committee Members:

• Mike Abreu (grandson of founders)
• Claire Abreu (granddaughter of founders)
• Katherine Abreu (granddaughter of founders)
• Margaret Connelly
• Danah Craft
• Greg Gerhard
• Barrett Krise

Corporate Trustee: Truist Bank

The Trust continues the legacy of May Patterson Abreu, who was celebrated for supporting local citizens during the Depression, and Francis Luis Abreu, known for designing The Cloister additions at Sea Island and numerous Mediterranean Revival buildings throughout coastal Georgia and Fort Lauderdale.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Trust operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis. Organizations are identified and invited to apply through the Distribution Committee's knowledge of the nonprofit community and their networks. Invited organizations complete an online application form.

Getting on Their Radar

Since the Trust identifies grantees through the Distribution Committee's community knowledge:

• The Distribution Committee members are active in Atlanta's philanthropic community and identify organizations through their networks
• Organizations with strong reputations in animal welfare, children's services, or senior services in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, or Gwinnett counties are more likely to be noticed
• Building relationships with current grantees of the Trust may increase visibility
• Historical connections to areas where the Abreus lived (Fort Lauderdale, Sea Island/coastal Georgia) may be relevant for consideration

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: September 1st (for invited applicants only)
• Review Period: September - October
• Board Meeting: One annual grantmaking meeting in October or November
• Notification: Following board meeting
• Late proposals deferred to next annual cycle

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only process. The Trust awards 26-30 grants annually from their selected pool of invited applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have received funding may be invited to apply again in future years. The Trust maintains relationships with legacy organizations and those of special family interest.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's giving patterns and priorities:

• The Trust consistently funds organizations they have supported before, showing preference for established relationships
• Organizations serving vulnerable populations (at-risk youth, seniors, animals) align strongly with their mission
• Capital projects and specific program funding requests are more successful than general operating requests
• Smaller nonprofits (under $5 million budget) are prioritized unless there's a special connection
• Geographic proximity to core Atlanta counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett) is essential
• The Trust values organizations that demonstrate meeting "critical community needs" rather than general charitable purposes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder - no unsolicited applications are accepted
• Focus on building organizational visibility in Atlanta's nonprofit community, particularly in animal welfare, children's services, and senior services
• Annual giving of approximately $425,000 distributed across 26-30 grants suggests selective but meaningful support
• Average grant size of $16,000 with maximum grants exceeding $100,000 for special projects
• The foundation prefers funding specific projects (capital, programs, seed funding) over general operations
• Strong family involvement through third generation ensures continuity of founders' philanthropic vision
• Single annual grant cycle with September deadline requires planning for invited organizations

References

• Abreu Foundation Official Website (www.abreufoundation.org) - Accessed March 2024
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - IRS Form 990-PF filings for EIN 58-6455665 (2019-2024)
• Cause IQ Database - May P & Francis L Abreu Charitable Trust Profile - Accessed March 2024
• Instrumentl Foundation Directory - Abreu Charitable Trust Grant History - Accessed March 2024
• GuideStar Profile - May P & Francis L Abreu Charitable Trust - Accessed March 2024
• Georgia Historical Society - May Patterson Abreu biographical information
• The Grantsmanship Center - Foundation Profile - Accessed March 2024