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

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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Baltimore Brew, Fiscally Sponsored by Fusion Partnerships, Inc.

$110,000 / 2021 / Community Development

Baltimore Brew provides in-depth reporting on public policy, government accountability and behind the scenes political coverage. Founded in 2009, the online publication has 70-80,000 unique readers each month.  The award winning website holds a critical space in the independent local media environment. This grant will support staffing, technology upgrades, and related expenses.

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Rose Street Community Center

$300,000 / 2020 / Workforce Development

Since February 2000, with support from the Abell Foundation, the Rose Street Community Center (Rose Street) has offered small weekly stipends (no more than $10 a day) to community residents in exchange for participation in daily community cleanups or gang mediation meetings.  Last year, Rose Street served more than 120 people per week. Nearly 20% of those served each week (an average of 22 people) reside in Rose Street’s six transitional houses.  Those residing in the houses participate daily in community cleanups. Once they have secured employment, Rose Street staff assists them in obtaining permanent housing.  Over half of those served each week (approximately 70 people) are high-risk youth ages 15 to 24.  Rose Street holds morning meetings with the youth where the youth identify and de-escalate disputes.  Rose Street also connects the youth to programs and services available in the community.

NPower, Inc.

$100,000 / 2020 / Workforce Development

In 2016, with support from the Abell Foundation and others, NPower replicated its IT training program for low-income young adults in Baltimore.  NPower’s core training program provides students with 16 weeks of hands-on classroom instruction in hardware and software.  The academic portion focuses on teaching fundamental IT skills, including networking, cloud computing, coding and service management.  Following the classroom instruction, students earn their CompTIA certification and have the option to take additional certificate exams.  NPower participants then enter a seven-week paid internship, working four days per week, while one day is spent in professional development activities in the classroom.  In the coming year, NPower plans to enroll 150 low-income young adults into training, graduating 135 and placing 122 into employment. 

Header photo courtesy of Thread.