Formed in 1951, Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established by the late Louis W. Abrons, a New York City property developer from the early 20^th century. ¹ The foundation supports performing arts initiatives, humanitarian projects, and left-of-center advocacy organizations in New York and around the United States. ^{2 3}

Background

The Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation is a private foundation founded by the late Louis W. Abrons. Born in Russia, Abrons and his parents moved to the United States in the late 1800s. From the 1920s to the 1930s, he made a large fortune running a New York City construction company. ⁴ In 1951, Abrons established his own grantmaking foundation, known as the Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation. Since his death in 1977, the foundation has been managed by his family; but it continues to be funded by Abrons’ estate. ^{5 6} The foundation is known for supporting the arts in New York City; it is a key donor of the Henry Street Settlement, a social services charity that also operates the Abrons Arts Center. ⁷

Backing Left-Wing Causes

In addition to its conventional charitable activities, the Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation has supported many left-wing organizations, primarily in the areas of social liberal advocacy, and environmentalism. ⁸

Social Liberalism

The foundation supports several “pro-choice” advocacy groups and women’s medical clinics that provide abortion services. In 2017 alone, it backed the Planned Parenthood Federation of America with an unrestricted grant of $250,000. During the same year, the foundation donated almost $137,000 to affiliates of the group, including Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Planned Parenthood of Michigan, and Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. ⁹

The Abrons foundation has also supported the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation; in 2017, the foundation donated over $200,000 to the ACLU’s charitable arm. ¹⁰

Environmentalism

In 2017, the foundation donated more than $131,000 to environmentalist litigation group Earthjustice. ¹¹ In 2022 Abrons gave $310,000 to 350.org, $110,000 to the Natural Resources Defense Council, $30,000 to Climate Justice Alliance, and $10,000 to Protect Our Winters. ¹²

According to its most recent tax filing, the Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation has approximately $143 million in assets. ¹³

Leadership

Today, the foundation’s leadership consists of Louis Abrons’ children and a few close relatives. Peter and Leslie Abrons, Louis’s children, are the co-presidents of the organization and both serve on the board of directors. Meanwhile, their brother and fellow board member, Henry L. Abrons, is the foundation’s treasurer. ^{14 15}

1. “Louis W. Abrons, 89, a Builder Prominent in the 20’s and 30’s.” The New York Times. May 26, 1977. Accessed June 26, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/26/archives/louis-w-abrons-89-a-builder-prominent-in-the-20s-and-30s.html.
2. Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation, Inc, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2017.
3. Hurley, Meagan. “Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation.” The Borgen Project. October 23, 2013. Accessed June 12, 2019. https://borgenproject.org/tag/louis-and-anne-abrons-foundation/.
4. “Louis W. Abrons, 89, a Builder Prominent in the 20’s and 30’s.” The New York Times. May 26, 1977. Accessed June 12, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/26/archives/louis-w-abrons-89-a-builder-prominent-in-the-20s-and-30s.html.
5. “Herbert L. Abrons, 92, Lawyer, Businessman and Philanthropist, Is Dead.” The New York Times. January 22, 2005. Accessed June 12, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/22/obituaries/herbert-l-abrons-92-lawyer-businessman-and-philanthropist-is.html
6. Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation, Inc, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2017.
7. Whelan, Robbie. “What’s the Deal in Commercial Property.” The Wall Street Journal. March 02, 2014. Accessed June 19, 2019. https://www.wsj.com/articles/whats-the-deal-in-commercial-property-1393817110.
8. Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation, Inc, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2017.
9. Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation, Inc, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2017.
10. Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation, Inc, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2017.
11. Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation, Inc, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2017.
12. Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation. 2022 IRS Form 990. Accessed March 21, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/136061329/202313169349100466/full
13. Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation, Inc, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2017.
14. Abrons, Richard. “Some Choice Nonprofits.” HuffPost. June 12, 2013. Accessed June 12, 2019. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/some-non-profits-worth-su_b_3424507?guccounter=1.
15. Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation, Inc, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF). 2017.