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

The Urban Alliance Foundation, Inc.

$35,000 / 2020 / Education

The Urban Alliance Foundation (UA) was founded in 1996 in Washington, D.C. with the goal of providing young people with meaningful work experiences and access to better jobs.  The overarching goal of the Urban Alliance is to equip youth to successfully transition to the working world by providing paid internships, mentoring from an adult professional, case management, trainings focused on college and career skills, and post internship wrap around support.  This current Abell Foundation grant will support their CTE program focused on providing internship placements in the area of construction.  In partnership with employers, the Urban Alliance CTE program prepares high school seniors for careers in construction and related industries through sector-based internships, industry training, professional mentoring, and case management.  

University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation

$46,136 / 2020 / Health and Human Services

HealthySteps is an evidence-based model that embeds a child development professional into pediatric care to promote positive parenting and healthy development for babies and toddlers from birth to age five.  The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) implements HealthySteps at two sites: the UMSOM Family Medicine Practice and the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus Pedatric practice.  This grant will strengthen data collection capacity so that ultimately, UMSOM can analyze the program’s return on investment and advocate for insurance reimbursement of the program’s prevention services. 

University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation

$100,000 / 2020 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

Administered by the Francis King Carey School of Law, the Rebuild Overcome and Roar (ROAR) Center is a “one stop shop” in Baltimore City where survivors of crime can access a full range of wraparound legal, supportive social and nursing care, and mental health services in one location.  With funding from the Abell Foundation, one of ROAR’s staff attorneys will be dedicated to representing survivors of homicide, non-fatal gun shots, and those who are identified as being gang involved, and who have been victims of crime themselves.

Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Inc.

$35,000 / 2020 / Community Development

Locally, outfitters, kayak clubs, and the Baltimore Department of Recreation & Parks have seen an increased demand for paddle sports. There are currently no clear instructions and limited guidance for safe paddling in the Baltimore Harbor. With infrastructure, information, and programming the Baltimore Harbor can become an accessible destination for paddlers.  This grant provided support for costs associated with the creation of a Master Plan for water trails and paddle craft access points in the Baltimore Harbor. 

Women’s Housing Coalition

$25,000 / 2020 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

Founded in 1979, the Women’s Housing Coalition (WHC) has been at the forefront in the development of housing options and services to low-income and homeless women. Support from the Abell Foundation will bring high speed internet access to its Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units.  The majority of the funding will support the physical wiring of the buildings, and courses to help residents with finding employment and educational offerings such as GED courses.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.