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

NorthBay Education

$200,000 / 2020 / Education

NorthBay Academy is a sixteen-week, residential educational program provided to 300 Baltimore City Public Schools sixth graders during the first semester of the 2020 school year as a response to the Covid pandemic.  Students attending NorthBay Academy will be provided hands-on science instruction, character-building activities, teamwork and challenge based activities, and individualized reading tutoring, alongside their typical routine of virtual instruction provided by their classroom teachers.  The Academy is designed to accelerate student learning and provide educational stability for students whose instruction may be impeded due to the challenges of virtual learning.

New Life Food Pantry, Inc.

$9,980 / 2020 / Community Development

New Life Food Pantry distributes up to 100,000 pounds of food during single day community markets. Grant funds will support costs associated with a pilot camera project.

NCADD-Maryland

$30,000 / 2020 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

NCADD-MD provides treatment/recovery education, advocacy and public policy leadership on issues related to alcoholism, drug dependence and barriers affecting treatment accessibility in Maryland. Funding from the Abell Foundation will assist NCADD-MD to conduct research about the actions and outcomes of some of the other states in the country that have legalized personal use of marijuana, with a particular focus on public health. This research is intended to develop recommendations for Maryland lawmakers on what public health approaches should be taken in the process of legalizing cannabis for personal use, should the State decide to move in this direction. 

Maryland MENTOR, Fiscally Sponsored by Fund for Educational Excellence

$50,000 / 2020 / Health and Human Services

Maryland MENTOR aims to increase the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships for Maryland’s young people and close the mentoring gap.  The organization provides free training, technical assistance, and quality improvement efforts to mentoring programs.  The Mentoring Connector also helps programs recruit mentors.  This grant provides general operating support.  

Maryland Access to Justice Commission, Fiscally Sponsored by Maryland Bar Foundation

$65,000 / 2020 / Community Development

The COVID-19 pandemic has broadsided the economy and led to the filing of an unprecedented volume of civil legal actions, such as missed rent payments; disputes over medical and consumer debt; the need for protective orders; applications for unemployment insurance; drafting of wills or dealing with probate. Under this grant, the Task Force will identify, research and discuss opportunities to improve the civil legal aid delivery system, including addressing inequities in the judicial system, creating a better system of resources and warm referrals; building a triage system to provide targeted help; and engaging more pro-bono and reduced fee assistance for civil legal problems, culminating in a final report of recommendations to be completed by December 2020.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.