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 for a Small Grant?

If you have never received an Abell small grant (requests of $10,000 or less), you must attend an information session to confirm fit with eligibility criteria and funding priorities prior to submitting a small grant application. 

Sign up for an info session

Considering Applying for a Regular Grant?

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?

If you are a returning applicant or have met our eligibility criteria and requirements and are ready to apply for a grant, you may do so on the apply page.

Start a 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

New Life Food Pantry, Inc.

$9,000 / 2021 / Community Development

For the past 25 years, New Life Food Pantry has been offering food and meals at no cost to community members in need. During the COVID-19 pandemic community food insecurity, particularly among the population served by Turning Point, the adjacent substance abuse treatment center, has grown exponentially. The Abell grant will help New Life purchase a commercial-size refrigeration unit to enable them to accept a larger volume of perishable food donations and provide more food to community members.

Learn More

No Struggle No Success, Inc.

$65,000 / 2021 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

No Struggle No Success is a newly established reentry program in Baltimore City serving adults and youth between 14-18 years of age. These individuals must have served time in prison facilities, detention centers and/or committed into a juvenile facility in the State of Maryland. NSNS will provide comprehensive case management and access to services such as assistance in obtaining state ID and social security cards, birth certificates, benefits, transportation, housing, employment, and referrals to behavioral health programs.

Learn More

Office of the Mayor

$8,468 / 2021 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

Funding from the Abell Foundation will support the salary of a Warrant Service Analyst who will assist with evaluating and reconfiguring Baltimore City’s warrant service to focus on violent and repeat offenders.  By prioritizing warrants, the Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department increase the likelihood that law enforcement will catch violent and repeat offenders and will help both agencies more effectively deploy limited resources.

Learn More

Office of the Mayor

$79,032 / 2021 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

Funding from the Abell Foundation will support the salary of a Warrant Service Analyst who will assist with evaluating and reconfiguring Baltimore City’s warrant service to focus on violent and repeat offenders.  By prioritizing warrants, the Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department increase the likelihood that law enforcement will catch violent and repeat offenders and will help both agencies more effectively deploy limited resources.

Learn More

Parks & People Foundation

$25,000 / 2021 / Community Development

Parks & People Foundation offers a paid youth internship and environmental education after school and summer Youthworks program called ‘Branches’ to address two critical issues: the need for meaningful employment for economically disadvantaged youth and the need for a trained workforce caring for parks and green spaces in the City. Participants in the Branches program gain hands-on experience and skills designing and implementing projects that have a community impact while contributing to the areas where many of them live and attend school, including neighborhoods which have high levels of poverty and few opportunities for positive development of young people. During COVID-19 in person restrictions the program will be offered virtually.

Learn More

Header photo courtesy of Thread.