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.
IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.
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. 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.
The Abrons family are major patrons of Henry Street Settlement in Manhattan. Louis met his wife at a dance at the settlement. He supported the institution and created the Abrons Arts Center, a performing and visual arts program which the family continues to support. 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.” Through the organization, he established the Plant-a-Lot program of community gardens in poor neighborhoods. The family also appears to have a strong interest in public health.
Grants range from $250 to $250,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $5 million. Past grantees have included City Harvest, Food Bank for New York City, Storefront Academy Harlem, Yeshiva University (the family has a scholarship in their name), Planned Parenthood, American Jewish Committee, ACLU, and International Rescue Committee.
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