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

AZIZA PE&CE, Fiscally Sponsored by Elijah’s Blessing Community Service Center, Inc.

$25,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

AZIZA PE&CE is a community-based, youth development program for students 15-24 years old. AZIZA PE&CE uses art, music, fashion, and fitness to guide students through a process of social-emotional growth. It serves female students who demonstrate behavioral issues at school, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LCBTQ) youth. This grant provides general operating support.

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Art with a Heart

$50,000 / 2021 / Workforce Development

Each year, Art with a Heart teachers and assistants provide engaging, educational, and interactive visual arts classes to vulnerable Baltimore children, youth, and adults. Funding from the Abell Foundaiton will support HeARTworks, a workforce development program that uses art as a vehicle to teach job skills; HeARTwares, Art with a Heart’s social enterprise/retail store that sells HeARTworks participants’ artwork; and arts integration, Art with a Heart’s engaging visual arts programs that supplement academic curricula in Baltimore elementary/middle schools.

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Adopt A Block, Inc.

$10,000 / 2021 / Community Development

The Adopt A Block Compassion Commission program teaches 300 young people ages 11 to 25 to look beyond their lives and be a positive influence to low-income inner-city children and adults. This is achieved through a weeklong series of activities focused in East Baltimore that provide an experience that fosters leadership, promotes volunteerism, and develops an interest in the welfare of others. Adopt A Block will acquire, renovate, and donate a formerly vacant Baltimore City home to a family led by a resident leader in the community in East Baltimore. This grant will support expenses associated with the renovation of the property.

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Baltimore Under Ground Science Space

$137,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

Baltimore Under Ground Science Space (BUGSS) is a nonprofit, community laboratory that brings together people from diverse backgrounds and approaches with the goal of advancing novel scientific, artistic and technological developments. This grant supports BUGSS’ partnership with the Open Insulin Foundation (OIF) in support of OIF’s mission to produce safe, affordable, high quality insulin for people living with diabetes. Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment and to support the salary of an OIF researcher who is conducting research focused on the production and purification of biosimilar insulin. This research will provide essential data that OIF will need to pursue approval of its biosimilar insulin from the Food and Drug Administration. If OIF secures FDA approval of its insulin, it will partner with a Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant laboratory in Baltimore City to produce affordable insulin on a large scale for insulin-dependent people with diabetes.

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New Life Food Pantry, Inc.

$9,000 / 2021 / Community Development

For the past 25 years, New Life Food Pantry has been offering food and meals at no cost to community members in need. During the COVID-19 pandemic community food insecurity, particularly among the population served by Turning Point, the adjacent substance abuse treatment center, has grown exponentially. The Abell grant will help New Life purchase a commercial-size refrigeration unit to enable them to accept a larger volume of perishable food donations and provide more food to community members.

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Header photo courtesy of Thread.