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

Per Scholas

$150,000 / 2019 / Workforce Development

Founded in South Bronx, NY in 1994, Per Scholas has trained more than 9,000 individuals in Information Technology,  producing impressive outcomes:  85 percent graduation, 80 percent certification, and 80 percent job-placement rates.  Funding from the Abell Foundation will support Per Scholas’ expansion to Baltimore City, where Per Scholas plans to train 60 Baltimore City residents.  Per Scholas expects that 85 percent will graduate, 80 percent will earn at least one industry-recognized credential, and 80 percent will secure employment within six months of training.  TEKsystems, with its headquarters in Hanover, MD, has pledged to hire 40 program graduates.

Next One Up Foundation

$16,000 / 2019 / Education

Next One Up provides long-term mentoring relationships and coaching, on the field and in the classroom, to meet the needs of over 115 high-risk young men in Baltimore from age 13 to 24. These students receive 300 hours of out of school programming on Sundays, school visits during the week, and a summer program providing academic support, study skills, community service, college advising, athletic training, and community service. The Abell Foundation will support the third, and final, phase of a new digital infrastructure for tracking student progress from jiiWA, a technology firm with a successful track record working with youth sports development programs.

Maryland Department of Transportation Port Administration

$100,000 / 2019 / Environment

The Maryland Port Administration of the Maryland Department of Transportation will install an innovative Algal Flow-way Technology (AFT) system to improve water quality in the Harbor. Sediment-laden Harbor water will be pumped across an inclined screen raceway to colonize algae and capture the nutrients, removing pollution and discharging cleaner water. The best management practice technology will be used to meet Port water quality requirements.

Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.

$100,000 / 2019 / Health and Human Services

In 2015, Maryland Legal Aid launched the Lawyer in the Library program to provide legal services clinics in Baltimore City libraries, in an effort to make legal services more accessible to people in the community.  Part of Legal Aid’s “community lawyering” initiative, the Lawyer in the Library program operates clinics on a regular basis in eight Baltimore City library branches, offering legal advice and representation on a range of civil legal matters.  This grant provides operating support for the Lawyer in the Library program.    

Latino Economic Development Center

$30,000 / 2019 / Community Development

Latino Economic Development Center offers access to business resources and capital to meet the needs of underserved communities and communities of color in Baltimore. Their small business coaches provide one-on-one technical assistance and workshops/courses related to business planning, financial management, incorporation, licensing and permitting, accounting, marketing, and technology integration. Lending staff are trained to provide micro-loans ranging from $500 to $50,000 and larger loans up to $250,000.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.