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 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.

Submit 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

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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Betamore

$75,000 / 2021 / Community Development

Betamore provides mentorship, skills based education and training, and flexible term office space. It provides its members with direct access to a knowledge pipeline of leaders and businesses that provide real world solutions to their growing business issues. The Betamore Academy will provide participants with direct access to the education, training, and robust network of employers needed to launch into a new career as entry-level software developers. This grant will support costs associated with the launch of this new Betamore Academy offering.

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Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation

$80,000 / 2021 / Community Development

Banner Neighborhoods leads the Southeast Youth Collaborative (SEYC), a consortium of seven non-profit organizations that provide summer work and learning experiences for young people in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) YouthWorks Program. The goal of SEYC is to engage youth living in low-income neighborhoods of east and southeast Baltimore City in meaningful five-week learn and earn activities for 140 youth ages 14-21 during the summer of 2021.

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Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition, Fiscally Sponsored by Fusion Partnerships, Inc.

$150,000 / 2021 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

The Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition (BHRC) is the largest harm reduction organization in the State of Maryland. Funding from the Abell Foundation will support its work to bring Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS) to Baltimore City and the State of Maryland.

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Baltimore Child Abuse Center, Inc.

$150,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

Baltimore Child Abuse Center (BCAC) provides comprehensive services for children who have expereienced the trauma of sexual abuse, and their family members. This grant will support construction of a new Center for Hope, located next to the Pimlico race course in Northwest Baltimore, that will house BCAC and several other violence prevention and intervention programs affiliated with the LifeBridge Health System.

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Header photo courtesy of Thread.