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

Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition, Inc.

$100,000 / 2020 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

Dee’s Place, established in 2001, is a substance abuse recovery program in East Baltimore, developed and launched by the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC). Dee’s Place currently operates seven days per week, but they are only able to provide on-site staff support from 7am-7pm Monday through Friday (70 hours/week) and 12 hours on the weekend.  Dee’s Place continues to see the need to be open 24/7 and they have received numerous requests from clients and partner organizations to do so.  With funding and support from the Abell Foundation, Dee’s Place is able to meet their goal of being open 132 hours/week.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake

$100,000 / 2020 / Community Development

Habitat Chesapeake has a 38 year track record of assisting lower-income families, primarily headed by middle-aged African-American women, in becoming first-time homeowners in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Interest in homeownership through Habitat is high. In FY2020, Habitat received more than 800 pre-qualification questionnaires. Grant funds will support costs associated with the rehabilitation and construction of 10 homes in three neighborhoods that have benefitted from significant investment by Habitat over the years: Pigtown, Woodbourne-McCabe, and Pen Lucy. 

Franciscan Center, Inc.

$100,000 / 2020 / Health and Human Services

Founded in 1968, the Franciscan Center is an emergency outreach and drop-in center that serves individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  The center serves a hot, mid-day meal five days a week, dinners twice a week, counseling, case management, flexible financial assistance, and related services.  This grant provides general operating support for the center’s operations, which have greatly expanded during the pandemic to meet the needs of the many Baltimore residents who are struggling with food insecurity, unemployment and other needs.  

Environmental Integrity Project (EIP)

$50,000 / 2020 / Environment

With community partners, EIP will focus technical analysis and legal research into strengthening regulation of methane pollution from landfills, a gas that is 86 times more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide on a 20-year scale. The state’s largest municipal solid waste landfill, Quarantine Road Landfill, happens to be located on Hawkins Point in Baltimore City. It is the third largest emitter of methane in Maryland in 2018 and produces 500,000 tons of Greenhouse Gases annually. EIP will encourage waste reduction and diversion as well as alternative methods of waste disposal.

The Community Builders

$100,000 / 2020 / Health and Human Services

The Community Builders is a national nonprofit organization that develops and operates affordable housing supported by services designed to strengthen and sustain both the residents of the buildings and of the surrounding communities. This grant will support the construction of a health and wellness center at City View at McCulloh, a 350 unit apartment building that houses low-income seniors and non-elderly people with disabilities.   

Header photo courtesy of Thread.