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 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. 

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.

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.

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

Jews United for Justice

$75,000 / 2020 / Community Development

Jews United For Justice (JUFJ) educates and mobilizes its network of over 2,000 members in the Baltimore area to participate in advocacy campaigns on a variety of social justice issues. Building on work JUFJ has done over the past three years to advocate for renters’ rights in Baltimore, this grant will support JUFJ to work with other coalitions and organizations, including the Public Justice Center and Baltimore Renters United, to advocate for strengthening legal protections for renters in Baltimore City.   

Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures (JHTV)

$25,000 / 2020 / 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. 

Light of Truth Center, Inc.

$25,000 / 2020 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

The Light of Truth Center has been providing safe, supportive housing to women in recovery since 1999.  Funding from the Abell Foundation will support increasing LOT’s clinical staff to align with COMAR requirements for its 3.1 residential program.  This will allow LTC to bill for and provide substance abuse treatment in a residential setting.    

Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative Education Fund, Inc.

$50,000 / 2020 / Health and Human Services

This grant supports two of Maryland Citizen’s Health Initiative’s current efforts: 1) The “Easy Enrollment” program, which uses individual tax returns to identify people who are eligible for, but not enrolled in, health insurance, and expand it to unemployment applications; 2) Advocate for the formation of and funding for Health Equity Resource Communities, which would be a state-funded grant program focused on reducing disparities in chronic health.  

Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence Education Fund

$40,000 / 2020 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence (MPGV) began in the mid-1980s. It educates the public, lawmakers, and criminal justice stakeholders about best practices to prevent gun violence.  Funding from the Abell Foundation will support its efforts with its newly created Maryland Violence Prevention Coalition.  Project goals include educating policymakers and civic leaders about violence prevention strategies, fostering cooperation between the public, nonprofit, and public sectors,  breaking down silos, and encouraging problem-solving to improve services and public safety outcomes.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.