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

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.

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.

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.

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.

See Our Past Grants

TeamTime, fiscally sponsored by Strong City Baltimore

$50,000 / 2019 / Health and Human Services

Founded in 2013 by a former City Schools Health and Physical Education teacher, TeamTime (formerly known as NEWfit) has rapidly emerged as the largest provider of structured play (recess) and afterschool sports programming for elementary and middle school children in Baltimore City. Last year, their programs served 4,500 elementary and middle school students in 75 Baltimore City Public Schools. This grant will support TeamTime’s programming and the development and implementation of an evaluation plan.  

Tahirih Justice Center

$30,000 / 2019 / Health and Human Services

The Tahirih Justice Center represents immigrant women and girls seeking protection from gender-based human rights abuses, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence.  This grant supports Tahirih’s Baltimore office, which provided legal services to 231 clients and case management support to 71 clients in 2018.  In addition, Tahirih trains and works closely with an extensive network of pro bono attorneys who expand the reach of Tahirih’s small staff.  

Public Justice Center, Inc.

$150,000 / 2019 / Community Development

Public Justice Center is leading a multi-year campaign to advocate for changes in laws and practices that limit tenants’ rights and deny due process to tenants in Baltimore City’s Rent Court.  In a December 2015 report on evictions in Baltimore entitled “Justice Diverted,” PJC documented the high rate of evictions in Baltimore City, where more than one in 17 renter households is evicted each year. This grant supports PJC’s Rent Court Reform and Eviction Prevention Initiative, which employs a combination of litigation, administrative advocacy, and legislative advocacy to advance the rights of tenants in Baltimore.    

PCs for People

$100,000 / 2019 / Community Development

Based in St. Paul, MN, PCs for the People also operates in Cleveland, OH, and Denver, CO, and is expanding to Baltimore. The organization will launch its efforts to increase educational opportunity and achievement, career readiness, and employment by providing low or no-cost refurbished computers, mobile internet access for $25/month, technological training, repair and troubleshooting services to low income residents in Baltimore City. This grant provides support for local launch staffing and related costs.

NPower, Inc.

$100,000 / 2019 / Workforce Development

In 2016, with support from the Abell Foundation and others, NPower replicated its IT training program for low-income young adults in Baltimore.  NPower’s core training program provides students with 16 weeks of hands-on classroom instruction in hardware and software.  The academic portion focuses on teaching fundamental IT skills, including networking, cloud computing, coding and service management.  Following the classroom instruction, students earn their CompTIA certification and have the option to take additional certificate exams.  NPower participants then enter a seven-week paid internship at a local employer, working four days per week, while one day is spent in professional development activities in the classroom.  In the coming year, NPower plans to enroll 200 low-income young adults into training, graduating 160 and placing 136 into employment. 

Header photo courtesy of Thread.