Grant Making

Requirements

The William S. Abell Foundation awards grants to IRS-qualified, tax-exempt organizations, regardless of religious or other affiliation. Grants are not made to individuals and consecutive-year requests are not accepted. 

Our Principles: The William S. Abell Foundation was founded and operates in accordance with the principles of the Roman Catholic Church and does not support organizations that fund or perform abortions or organizations that have a policy or program that refer clients seeking an abortion to groups or health clinics that fund or perform abortions. For clarity, we support organizations that provide holistic services to the most vulnerable including programs that assist women in need to give birth to healthy babies and to assist both the mother and baby thereafter as necessary.

The William S. Abell Foundation awards grants to organizations serving clients in Washington, D.C., and/or the Maryland counties of Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's County.

The William S. Abell Foundation accepts applications from organizations that serve clients who are hungry, the homeless, domestic violence and maltreatment of children, at-risk pregnant women, and persons with intellectual disabilities. The Foundation is interested in awarding grants to projects that will have a demonstrable impact on the community. Additional information is provided for each of our funding areas by clicking on the name of the category.

Additionally, the Foundation awards grants to qualified, tax-exempt organizations through our Margaret Abell Powell Fund. 

Disqualifications

The Foundation will not consider applications for:

  • Consecutive year grants

  • 501 (c) (3) organizations that do not have a 509 (a) (1) or (2) status or are not included in Section 170(b)(1)(A)(i),(ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) on your IRS Letter

  • Organizations that perform, sponsor, or promote abortion

Applying for a grant

Eligible grantees will be invited to submit a proposal by the Foundation staff. At this time, we are not accepting unsolicited grant applications.

All eligible applicants will be sent information and an instruction letter on how to apply.