Grants

The Abell Foundation awards grants to nonprofit community partners working to improve the quality of life in Baltimore. We provide seed funding for innovative pilots, support for ongoing community programs and services, and funding for capital projects. In addition to providing grant funding, the Foundation supports our nonprofit partners through connection to our local and national networks, as well as our team’s deep experience in and knowledge of Baltimore as it relates to our program areas.

Learn More About Our Process

Eligibility and Review Criteria

For all nonprofit organizations seeking grant funding, regardless of the request amount. 

Small Grants Process

For grant requests of $10,000 or less.

Reviewed on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply.

Regular Grants Process

For grant requests greater than $10,000.

Reviewed at one of the Foundation’s five annual Board meetings.

Submit an Application

Considering Applying?

First-time applicants with grant requests greater than $10,000 should reach out to an Abell staff member to discuss their idea or submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application.

Contact Us or Email Us an LOI

Ready to Apply for a Small Grant?

For first-time or returning applicants with grant requests of $10,000 or less. We accept and review small grant applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply for a small grant.

Start a Small Grant Application

Ready to Apply for a Regular Grant?

For returning applicants and those who have a verified fit with the Foundation’s priorities for requests greater than $10,000. Regular grant applications are reviewed at one of five Board meetings each year.

Start a Regular Grant Application

Returning to a Saved Application or Submitting a Report?

Log into the grant portal below to return to a saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant. Report forms can be found under the “Requirements” tab.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

CASA de Maryland, Inc.

$100,000 / 2021 / Workforce Development

The Baltimore Welcome Center provides employment placement services for day laborers and low-income workers who begin to assemble early in the morning in the hope of being selected for jobs in construction, landscaping, home improvement, sanitation, and other day-to-day, physical labor-intensive jobs. In the coming year, CASA plans to place workers in 1,700 daily jobs, 40 temporary/seasonal jobs, and 35 permanent jobs; to provide 50 people with legal consultation on immigration, employment, or housing matters; to provide 500 people with basic financial education/counseling, and 300 low-income households with free tax preparation services; and to educate 200 eligible Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) about the naturalization process.

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BUILD

$60,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD) is a broad-based coalition of faith institutions, schools and neighborhood associations that collaborate to make Baltimore a better place to live, work and raise a family. This grant supports BUILD’s COVID-19 Emergency Food Program.  Launched in April 2020, the program provides weekly deliveries of food to 1,250 families in East Baltimore who have been adversely impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. BUILD is working with four East Baltimore churches, and housing developer ReBUILD Metro, to identify families in need of food assistance and deliver weekly boxes of produce and nonperishable foods. In addition to providing food for families struggling with food insecurity, the program provides part-time employment for the drivers who deliver the food, most of whom are residents of the communities served and in many cases receive food assistance themselves.

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Bon Secours Baltimore Health System Foundation

$88,000 / 2021 / Workforce Development

Funding from the Abell Foundation will support Bon Secours Baltimore Community Works’ Returning Citizens program, which is designed to help 100 returning citizens break the cycle of incarceration. All program participants will receive behavioral health assessments and financial education; 70% are expected to complete TYRO, an intensive, five-week life skills course; and 65% will be placed into jobs, occupational skills training or higher education programs.

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Baltimore’s Promise, Fiscally Sponsored by Fund for Educational Excellence

$300,000 / 2021 / Education

The Grads2Careers initiative seeks to establish a pathway for City Schools graduates who are not enrolled in four-year colleges or universities into well paying, high-demand, and high-growth occupations in the city and region. Phase I saw the 18-21 year old population served by Grads2Careers meeting the targets of 70% enrollment, 70% completion, and 70% or more participants being placed in job or enrolling in college. On a systems level, the initiative seeks to build capacity at the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, City Schools, and with occupational skills-training providers as these various entities work together to better serve the 18-21 year old population seeking to enter the workforce directly after high school.

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Baltimore Urban Debate League

$20,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

The Baltimore Urban Debate League (BUDL) has brought debate into Baltimore’s public school classrooms over the last two decades, improving academic skills, increasing student voice and engagement, and fostering social-emotional growth. This grant supports BUDL’s elementary and middle school program, with the aim of rebounding to its pre-COVID-19 reach in schools and students served.

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Header photo courtesy of Thread.