Our Mission & Leadership
The Abele Family Foundation is a private family civic foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For over three decades, we have worked alongside communities, schools, and civic institutions to build a more engaged, equitable, and resilient region through strategic grantmaking and sustained partnership.
Our Mission
The Abele Family Foundation exists to strengthen the civic life and physical vitality of communities across the greater Philadelphia region. We pursue this mission through strategic grantmaking in five interconnected program areas: civic education, youth leadership development, neighborhood revitalization, arts and cultural enrichment, and organizational capacity building. We believe that informed civic participation, invested young people, resilient neighborhoods, vibrant cultural life, and well-governed institutions are the essential building blocks of thriving communities. Our approach is rooted in respect for community self-determination, long-term partnership, and rigorous accountability to the people and places we serve.
Our Founder
The Foundation was established in 1994 by Richard P. Abele, a Philadelphia native who built a successful career in commercial real estate development before turning his attention to civic philanthropy. Growing up in the Roxborough neighborhood of northwest Philadelphia, Richard witnessed firsthand how civic institutions, public schools, neighborhood associations, and local government shaped the quality of life for working families. After retiring from active real estate development in 1992, he committed his resources and energy to strengthening those same civic foundations for future generations.
Richard's philanthropic philosophy was shaped by a pragmatic belief that communities improve when their members are civically informed, when their young people have pathways to leadership, and when their physical infrastructure reflects dignity and investment. He was not interested in grand gestures or naming rights. He wanted to fund the unglamorous, essential work of civic education, youth mentorship, and neighborhood improvement that makes democratic self-governance possible. Richard served as the Foundation's Chairman from 1994 until transitioning to Chairman Emeritus in 2018. He remains an active advisor to the Board of Directors and continues to participate in grantee site visits throughout the region.
Executive Director
Margaret Abele-Whitfield, MSW, MPA
Executive Director (2018 – Present)
Margaret Abele-Whitfield has served as the Foundation's Executive Director since 2018, leading strategic planning, grantmaking operations, and community partnerships. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice and a Master of Public Administration from the Fels Institute of Government. Prior to joining the Foundation, Margaret spent fourteen years in non-profit management and community development, including senior roles at the Philadelphia Foundation, the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, and the Reinvestment Fund.
Margaret's leadership has expanded the Foundation's grantmaking portfolio from three to five program areas, introduced the Capacity Building Partnership, deepened community engagement in the Neighborhood Catalyst Grant process, and strengthened the Foundation's evaluation and learning practices. She serves on the advisory boards of the Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia and the National Council on Family Philanthropy.
Board of Directors
The Foundation's Board of Directors provides governance oversight, strategic direction, and fiduciary stewardship. Board members bring diverse professional expertise in philanthropy, law, education, community development, finance, and public policy. The Board meets quarterly, with additional meetings of the Grant Review Committee, Finance Committee, and Governance Committee as needed.
Richard P. Abele
Chairman Emeritus & Founder
Retired commercial real estate developer. Roxborough, Philadelphia native. Founded the Foundation in 1994 to strengthen civic life in greater Philadelphia.
Catherine M. Abele, Esq.
Board Chair
Partner at Ballard Spahr LLP specializing in non-profit law and exempt organizations. Temple University Beasley School of Law (J.D., 2003).
Dr. James Abele-Whitfield
Board Treasurer
Associate Professor of Economics, Drexel University LeBow College of Business. Research focus on community economic development and neighborhood indicators.
Patricia Reyes-Gonzalez, AICP
Board Secretary
Senior Planner, Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Certified urban planner with expertise in neighborhood planning and community engagement processes.
Rev. Dr. Samuel T. Henderson
Board Member
Senior Pastor, Mount Zion Baptist Church, Germantown. Community development advocate and founding board member of the Germantown United CDC.
Nora Chen-Whitaker, CPA
Board Member
Managing Director, Non-Profit Advisory Services, BDO USA. Specializes in non-profit audit, compliance, and financial governance for family foundations.
Ethics & Accountability
The Abele Family Foundation is committed to the highest standards of philanthropic ethics, transparency, and accountability. We adhere to the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations and the Council on Foundations' Principles of Accountability. Our practices include annual independent financial audits conducted by a certified public accounting firm, public disclosure of Form 990-PF, grantee reporting and evaluation requirements, a Board-approved conflict of interest policy, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our grantmaking, governance, and operations. We publish an annual report summarizing our grantmaking activities, financial position, and community impact, which is available upon request from our office or on our website.
Legal & Registration Information
Federal Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Private Foundation
EIN: 23-2847196
IRS Determination: August 12, 1994
PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations: #CH-04817
Philadelphia Business Privilege License: #1048271
DUNS Number: 07-481-9203