William S Abell Foundation Incorporated
The William S. Abell Foundation is a private family foundation based in Chevy Chase, MD that funds organizations in the DC area focused on homelessness, hunger, domestic violence, at-risk pregnant women, persons with intellectual disabilities, and the arts. The site includes an About page with board and staff names and a Grant Making page describing eligibility and application policies.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Mid‑sized local or regional nonprofits working on homelessness, food security, domestic violence, services for people with intellectual disabilities, at‑risk pregnant women, or arts/culture in the DC–MD–VA area with capacity to manage grants in the $25K–$100K range.
Good Fit
- • Programs focused on homelessness, hunger/food banks, domestic violence, intellectual disabilities, or services for at‑risk pregnant women.
- • Clear local or regional presence in DC or Maryland (or nearby Virginia) and demonstrable community impact.
- • Organizational capacity to manage multi‑year or mid‑size grants and to respond to a board review process.
- • Ability to submit materials and meet the foundation’s two annual funding cycles.
Geography
Grants chiefly serve the DC–Maryland region—about 47% of 2024 dollars went to DC and 42% to Maryland—yet recipients were funded across six states, indicating a regional rather than purely local footprint.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows a large and diverse recipient set (81 distinct organizations) with only 14 repeat recipients from prior years, so the observed portfolio funds many independent nonprofits.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness is strong: 67 new recipients in the latest year (about an 83% new‑recipient rate), public application guidance on the website, and a named contact with a two‑cycle funding calendar.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
