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

Civil Justice, Inc.

$46,350 / 2021 / Community Development

Civil Justice expands legal services to clients of low and moderate income while promoting a network of solo, small and community-based lawyers who share a common commitment to increasing access to justice. It is a common practice that, after evicting tenants who fall behind on rent, landlords will later sue those same tenants for prospective rent and alleged damages, as well as unlawfully withhold security deposits. These suits result in millions of dollars in judgments against tenants each year in Baltimore City and further destabilize tenant households. With Abell funding, Civil Justice will address aggressive landlord debt collection suits against tenants, serving 50 households and preventing judgments totaling $100,000 either through in-house counsel or through their referral network.

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Center for Urban Families, Inc.

$300,000 / 2021 / Workforce Development

The Center for Urban Families (CFUF) works to strengthen urban communities by helping fathers and families achieve stability and economic success. STRIVE Baltimore, the cornerstone of CFUF’s programming, is a strict, demanding, three-week workshop that focuses on workplace behavior, appearance, and attitude. Upon completion of training, STRIVE graduates are placed in jobs, and are followed by STRIVE staff for two years. Last year, CFUF placed 37 STRIVE graduates and 159 other participants into jobs, earning an average wage of $14.12 per hour.

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Building STEPS, Inc.

$60,000 / 2021 / Education

Building STEPS partners with non-academic-criteria Baltimore City high schools and provides college going support including STEM seminars, summer internship experiences, college workshops, tutoring support, and college counseling. Students are identified by their school counselor and are admitted through an application process. Participating students must meet the 3.0 GPA threshold and have strong school attendance. This grant from the Abell Foundation will enable expansion into the tenth grade in order to provide an additional year of programming to improve foundational math skills, boost SAT scores/college math readiness, and expand college persistence programming.

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BUILD

$125,000 / 2021 / Workforce Development

Turnaround Tuesdays is a BUILD jobs initiative in which residents meet at Zion Baptist Church on Tuesday mornings from 9 am to 11 am to receive help in finding employment. During the pandemic, Turnaround Tuesday has been holding weekly online orientation sessions on Monday, and transitioned its 30-hour essential skills training to a four-day, 16-hour online session. Last year, Turnaround Tuesday placed 202 people into jobs, most of which are defined by Turnaround Tuesday as being quality jobs, or those that pay over $16 per hour and offer medical and vacation benefits as well as a career pathway. In 2021, Turnaround Tuesday expects that 100 of its 225 placements will be in quality jobs.

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Black Girls Cook, Fiscally Sponsored by Bmore Empowered, Inc.

$10,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

Black Girls Cook aims to teach girls of color, how to grow, buy, and prepare healthy and affordable food. In addition to offering cooking and edible gardening programs, Black Girls Cook guest instructors are role models of different career possibilities in the food and hospitality industry. This grant is for general operating support.

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Header photo courtesy of Thread.