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.
First-time applicants with grant requests greater than $10,000 should submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application. For guidance on what to include in your LOI, please reference our frequently asked questions.
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.
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.
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.
Over the past seven years, STEM Champions of Maryland has developed as a staging ground to prepare 375 students in 30 middle and high schools throughout the city for competition in numerous STEM based events as a part of the National Science Olympiad competition, the largest broad-based STEM competition in Baltimore. STEM Champions of Maryland trains teacher coaches to provide robust curricula and materials for each of the 18 Science Olympiad activities. STEM Champions also brings over 200 STEM professionals and volunteers together to work with teachers in afterschool practices and to facilitate the annual Citywide Science Olympiad competition.
The Samaritan Community provides support to families and individuals who are in crisis, using an individualized approach that addresses the unique needs of each client. The vast majority of clients served are unemployed, and many have chronic illnesses, including mental health and substance use disorders. The center’s programs include a food pantry, emergency financial assistance, individual and group counseling, and referrals. This grant supports the Samaritan Community’s general operations.
Since February 2000, with support from the Abell Foundation, the Rose Street Community Center (Rose Street) has offered small weekly stipends to community residents in exchange for participation in daily community cleanups or gang mediation meetings. Last year, Rose Street served more than 120 people per week. Nearly 20% of those served each week (an average of 22 people) reside in Rose Street’s five transitional houses. Those residing in the houses participate daily in community cleanups. Once they have secured employment, Rose Street staff assists them in obtaining permanent housing. Roughly a third of those served each week (30 to 40 people) are in recovery or active addiction. They participate in a morning motivational meeting and receive a small stipend for bus transportation. Over half of those served each week (approximately 70 people) are high-risk youth ages 15 to 24. Rose Street holds morning meetings with the youth where the youth identify and de-escalate disputes. Rose Street also connects the youth to programs and services available in the community.
With the help of Abell Foundation start-up funding in 2005, the New Leaders Program has trained 375 leaders and developed 126 new principals making them the leading provider of training for principals and school leaders in City Schools. The New Leaders program seeks to train high quality principal candidates to lead schools, support teacher retention, and build teams. There are currently 112 New Leaders alumni actively working in education in Baltimore City, including 46 principals representing 29% of all principals in the district.
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service provides legal assistance, dispute resolution, and connection to services, benefits, and tax credits for low income homeowners facing unaffordable water bills and municipal taxes. Left unpaid, these municipal liens could result in the loss of the home to tax sale foreclosure. Outreach and advocacy on water bill and property tax affordability are ideally approached jointly because for so many residents these two issues are linked. MVLS will conduct outreach to the more than 900 homeowners who were removed from 2021 tax sale due to COVID-19 forbearance by Mayor Scott. And MVLS will leverage community relationships to enroll homeowners and tenants with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty line in the Water for All Program (Water Accountability & Equity Act).
Header photo courtesy of Thread.