Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to human services, education, youth, health, the arts, the environment, policy and Jewish causes in New York and California.

IP TAKE: The Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation is primarily a New York funder, but it does make a significant number of grants in the Bay Area as well. However, it lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. Additionally, it’s an inaccessible foundation that does not accept unsolicited proposals. A mailing address is included below, but this is definitely a funder that you will need to network to get on its radar.

PROFILE: Established in 1951, the Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation was founded by Louis Abrons, a builder prominent during the 1920s and 1930s. The foundation is now steered by some one dozen family members including his son Richard Abrons, who helped found First Manhattan Co. Although Richard is on the board of directors, this is a separate organization than his namesake foundation. The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax filings, the Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to human services, education, youth, health, the arts, the environment, policy, and Jewish causes in New York and California.

Grants for New York City and Jewish Causes

The Abrons family are major patrons of Henry Street Settlement in Manhattan, home to the Abrons Arts Center. Richard is vice chairman of the board of Henry Street Settlement. He is also a major supporter of Children’s Aid. Richard was a director of GrowNYC, whose mission is to “improve New York City's quality of life through environmental programs that transform communities block by block and empower all New Yorkers to secure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.”

This funder supports a handful of Jewish organizations each year. Grantees include Temple Sharray Tefila in Westchester County, the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan and the UJA Federation of New York.

Grants for Bay Area & NorCal and Community Development

The family also has ties to California where Richard’s late brother Herbert’s stepchildren take up residence. Past grantees have included UC Berkeley School of Public Health’s Center for Public Health Practice & Leadership; California OneCare Education Fund, which aims to “create a healthcare system in California where every child and every adult receives the health care they need when they need it and at a cost they can afford”; Bay Area Lyme Foundation; California State Parks Foundation; Earthjustice; and Alameda County Food Bank.

Important Grant Details

Grants range from $250 to $250,000. The most common amount is $10,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $5 million. The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation Inc.
Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19809