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

Maryland Food Bank

$75,000 / 2019 / Health and Human Services

The Maryland Food Bank’s School Food Pantry program operates food banks in schools that serve large populations of families living in poverty, including approximately 100 Baltimore City public schools.  The program delivers food to each participating school on a monthly basis, including fresh produce and shelf-stable products.  All food is provided to families free of charge. This grant supports the continued operation of the School Food Pantry program in Baltimore City.  

Maryland Farmers Market Association

$15,000 / 2019 / Community Development

The Maryland Farmers Market Association’s Maryland Market Money Program was launched in 2013 in response to interest from Maryland Farmers who were interested in serving as sites for healthy food access but found it difficult to independently access federal nutrition benefits incentive programs via SNAP/EBT system.  This grant supports related staff costs and outreach expenses targeted at 10 Baltimore City farmers markets.  

Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, Inc.

$45,000 / 2019 / Community Development

Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition provides research on economic rights and consumer protection issues; educates policymakers and the public about economic rights issues, and provides consumer awareness and education campaigns to individuals and organizations. MCRC serves low-income homeowners and renters through the Low Income Forgotten Tax (LIFT) program that helps them access the Homeowners and Renters Tax Credit programs and public benefits. This grant provides support for staff and outreach expenses for the LIFT program.

The Literacy Lab

$75,000 / 2019 / Education

A replication of the acclaimed Minnesota Reading Corps, Literacy Lab embeds rigorously trained reading tutors in PreK classrooms and provides 1:1 tutoring in schools to children in Kindergarten through third grade. In 2019/20, Literacy Lab nearly doubled in size with 65 tutors serving an anticipated 1,155 children in 24 Baltimore City elementary schools. Literacy Lab tutoring participants are between 1.5 to 5 times as likely to be on grade level than students who started at the same grade level and received no tutoring. In addition, Literacy Lab’s Leading Men program annually employs and trains five recent graduates of color in Pre K classrtooms, preparing them to enter a career in education.

Johns Hopkins University

$25,000 / 2019 / Community Development

The Social Innovation lab incubates mission-driven companies and nonprofits to maximize their potential to become thriving sustainable ventures that contribute to increased opportunity in Baltimore. Through a six-month social venture accelerator program, the competitively selected cohort of up to ten entrepreneurs is provided programming sessions, access to an extensive network of advisors, one-on-one coaching, co-working space, and $1,000 in unrestricted funding.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.