About William S Abell Foundation
A family foundation supporting qualified nonprofit organizations in Washington, D.C. and nearby Maryland counties to aid vulnerable populations, with focus on homelessness, hunger, domestic violence, at-risk pregnant women, persons with intellectual disabilities, and the arts.
Focus Areas
Hunger/food insecurityHomelessnessDomestic violence and maltreatment of childrenAt-risk pregnant womenPersons with intellectual disabilitiesThe arts (classical ballet and traditional theatre)
Who They Fund
people experiencing homelessness (individuals and families)food-insecure individuals and householdspeople with intellectual or developmental disabilitiesabused women and their children / survivors of domestic violence
About William S Abell Foundation
William S Abell Foundation Inc. gives across a narrow set of human-service and arts priorities, with recent grants reaching intellectual disabilities services, homelessness, food insecurity, at-risk pregnant women, and domestic violence support. The largest recent award listed is $225,000 to Jubilee Association of Maryland for intellectual disabilities, followed by $150,000 to Pathway Homes Inc. for homelessness and $125,000 to Capital Area Food Bank for hunger. That mix reflects a foundation that uses targeted, restricted grants to support vulnerable populations rather than broad general operating support. The portfolio also shows recurring attention to organizations serving Washington, D.C. and nearby Maryland counties, alongside selected grantees in Northern Virginia. In 2025, the foundation backed Mamatoto Village Inc. for needy pregnant women, A Wider Circle Inc. for homelessness, Potomac Community Resources Inc. for intellectual disabilities, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington Inc. for both hunger and homelessness. The arts work sits in a separate named program, Margaret Abell Powell Fund, which supports classical ballet and traditional theatre in the Washington, DC area.
What William S Abell Foundation Funds
Homelessness is a major line of giving. The foundation awarded $75,000 to Social Good Fund for a homeless grant, and $60,000 to Help Development Corp. for homelessness. Its stated homelessness programs emphasize permanent supportive housing, Housing First, advocacy, and collective impact. Food insecurity is another clear priority. In 2025, Capital Area Food Bank received $125,000 for a hunger grant, while Farming 4 Hunger Inc. received $50,000 for a hungry grant. The foundation’s food program also points toward efforts that meet daily nutritional needs and support strategic initiatives addressing root causes. For intellectual disabilities, the foundation funds organizations working on quality of life, independence, and community integration. Recent grants include $75,000 to Potomac Community Resources Inc. and $40,800 to L'arche Inc. It also supports pregnant women at risk and domestic violence services, including a $100,000 grant to Mamatoto Village Inc. for needy pregnant women and a $90,000 grant to My Sister's Place Inc. for abused women and children.
How William S Abell Foundation Gives
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$2.7M
Total Assets
$77.7M
Total Revenue
$1.6M
Total Expenses
$3.6M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $25K and $25K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$25K
Geographic Reach
National6 states funded
About 40% of grants go to recipients in DC.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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