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

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.

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.

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.

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.

See Our Past Grants

Black Yield Institute, Fiscally Sponsored by Maryland Philanthropy Network

$45,000 / 2020 / Community Development

Black Yield Institute promotes the concept of black land ownership and food sovereignty through the development of ghe Cherry Hill Urban Community Farm. The farm increases access to healthy, affordable food; fosters positive community activity on a vacant Housing Authority of Baltimore City site; offers educational, skill building, and leadership development opportunities; and promotes dialogue about food access, neighborhood development, and environmental justice. Grant funding supports staff costs, equipment and supplies to continue urban farming production.

Black Women Build – Baltimore

$30,000 / 2020 / Community Development

Black Women Build – Baltimore buys abandoned houses, works with Black women to restore them and then sells the houses to the women at affordable prices. The organization instructs trainees in the carpentry, electrical and plumbing trades while they work on homes they may later purchase. Trainees do not earn a license in a trade, but they are equipped with skills that they can parlay into a construction job and into savings from the knowledge of home maintenance. Grant funds will be used as down payment and closing cost assistance to support three home purchasers.

Black Women Build – Baltimore

$30,000 / 2020 / Community Development

Black Women Build – Baltimore buys abandoned houses, works with Black women to restore them and then sells the houses to the women at affordable prices. The organization instructs trainees in the carpentry, electrical and plumbing trades while they work on homes they may later purchase. Trainees do not earn a license in a trade, but they are equipped with skills that they can parlay into a construction job and into savings from the knowledge of home maintenance. Grant funds will be used as down payment and closing cost assistance to support three home purchasers.

Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation

$35,000 / 2020 / Community Development

Banner Neighborhoods provides low-income senior and disabled homeowners with home repairs and handicap modifications. Relieving homeowners of the cost and difficulty of completing home repairs and maintenance enables them to age in place and retain their community ties and social networks. The exterior house improvements, and in some cases tree and vine removal in yards, are critical to keeping senior’s home compliant with code, avoiding environmental citations and municipal fines that unpaid can lead to tax sale and loss of a home.

Baltimore Outreach Services, Inc.

$25,000 / 2020 / Health and Human Services

Baltimore Outreach Services (BOS) operates a 40 bed shelter for women and children in South Baltimore, one of only three family shelters in Baltimore City.  To support and stabilize families staying at the shelter, BOS offers case management, job training and employment support services, educational programming, health and mental health services, and transitional housing.  In Fiscal Year 2020, BOS served 98 women and 145 children.  This grant provides general operating support for BOS.    

Header photo courtesy of Thread.