Read our 2024 Annual Report

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

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service

$26,000 / 2019 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) is the largest pro-bono legal services organization in Maryland and its small, paid staff leverages a large network of volunteer lawyers to provide free legal assistance to people who otherwise would not have access to an attorney.  Funding from the Abell Foundation will support the rebuild of MVLS’ CLUE (Client Legal Uitlity Engine) data scraping tool.  CLUE is owned by MVLS and used by many community partners to scrape public data from the Maryland Judiciary Case Search to support social justice reform.  MVLS and its community partners have used CLUE to assist in areas such as identifying class action lawsuits, bail reform, consumer debt issues, and fine and fees related to court proceedings.

Franciscan Center, Inc.

$100,000 / 2019 / Health and Human Services

The Franciscan Center has served the indigent, homeless and working poor of Battimore since 1968. Throughout the Center’s 51 years of service, it has expanded its programs in direct response to the needs of its community. Funding from the Abell Foundation will support on-going emergency services for families in crisis including food, clothing, eviction prevention, utility assistance, and emergency health services.  

The Baltimore Station

$51,300 / 2019 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

The Baltimore Station provides residential treatment for over 250 men annually.  It operates out of two facilities in Baltimore City (South Baltimore and Sandtown-Winchester) providing  144 beds for men in recovery.  Funding from the Abell Foundation will support start-up operations for an on-site Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) to help its clients transition successfully to permanent housing.

ACLU Foundation of Maryland, Inc.

$100,000 / 2019 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

On-going support for ACLU’s criminal justice program to include efforts around expanding parole opportunities for individuals sentenced to life sentences and encouraging meaningful family and community connections for incarcerated individuals.

Jane Addams Resource Corporation

$100,000 / 2019 / Workforce Development

The Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) Baltimore trains unemployed and/or underemployed Baltimore City residents in welding and computer numerical control (CNC) at the Regional Skills Training Center on Park Heights Avenue in West Baltimore.  With funding from the Abell Foundation, students receive hands-on training and earn industry-recognized credentials in a work-like environment.  Beyond technical skills training, JARC Baltimore provides employment readiness and financial support services to trainees during and after training.  Graduates are placed into jobs earning an average starting wage of $19 per hour.  

Header photo courtesy of Thread.