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 your saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

Episcopal Housing Corporation

$65,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

This grant will support Episcopal Housing Corporation’s renovation of 17 W. Mulberry Court into nine Permanent Supportive Housing units. Permanent Supportive Housing is an evidence-based intervention to end chronic homelessness, which has also been shown to decrease health care spending. Once the development is complete, tenants will be referred from the Baltimore City’s Coordinated Access List, and Health Care for the Homeless will provide social services to those tenants.

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Environment America Research & Policy Center

$26,000 / 2021 / Environment

Maryland needs to quickly ramp up its solar siting and production to meet statewide goals. As suggested in the Abell Report “Getting Solar Siting Right in Maryland,” rooftops and parking lots of big box stores are ideal for solar energy installations as they build on already-developed infrastructure and do not disturb undeveloped, productive agricultural or forested land. Grant funds will enable Environment America to conduct research on the viability of rooftop solar on big-box retail stores in Maryland and other states and launch an advocacy campaign to encourage corporate investment in solar installations in Baltimore and Maryland.

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The Community School

$20,000 / 2021 / Education

The Community School is a state-certified, non-public school that provides individualized academics and mentoring for high school students who require an alternative educational route. The Community School educates up to twenty-two students a year, providing significant mentoring in a small environment to help their students achieve success personally and academically. In addition to a rigorous, yet individualized, college preparatory curriculum, The Community School offers mentoring around personal habits, skills, and responsibility.

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Civil Justice, Inc.

$118,544 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

This grant supports a new project of Civil Justice, the Medical Debt Collection Defense Project. Through this program, Civil Justice will provide direct legal representation for approximately 50 Baltimore City residents who are being sued for medical debt. Through these cases, Civil Justice will identify systemic abuses and use impact litigation to stop these abuses.

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Civic Works, Inc.

$200,000 / 2021 / Community Development

Civic Works’ Retrofit Baltimore program offers weatherization, home energy efficiency and health & safety improvements to low and moderate income households to improve safety and comfort and reduce utility bills. Utilizing competitive Maryland Energy Administration funding, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development grants and BGE utility rebates, the program expects to complete 350 energy audits, energy efficient weatherization improvements in 70 homes, as well as screen all households for property tax credits, water bill discounts and federal nutrition benefits. The grant covers expenses for staff to promote the program, screen applicants for benefits, establish scopes of work, manage contract implementation, and ensure quality control.

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Header photo courtesy of Thread.