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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

United Way of Central Maryland, Inc.

$10,000 / 2018 / Health and Human Services

When wage earners in low-income families experience an increase in income, they often lose eligibility for certain benefits, resulting in a decrease in the gross resources available for the family; this is known as the “benefits cliff.” This grant supports research by the United Way and the Schaefer Center for Public Policy on the impact of the benefits cliff on Maryland working families.

South Baltimore Learning Center

$50,000 / 2018 / Workforce Development

The South Baltimore Learning Center (SBLC) has provided adult education services to Baltimore City residents for nearly three decades, serving more than 600 adult students each year.  With funding from the Abell Foundation, SBLC  plans to offer 12 classes at the Regional Skills Training Center (RSTC) located on Park Heights Avenue in West Baltimore.  Classes will include three low literacy/low math classes designed for applicants that did not qualify for sector skills training programs located at the RSTC, three traditional pre-GED classes for eligible training participants, and three GED fast-track classes.  SBLC’s goal is to provide effective instruction that will result in the grade level gains needed to access one of the sector training programs in the RSTC.

Jane Addams Resource Corporation

$100,000 / 2018 / 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 in jobs earning an average of $16.80 per hour.  

Civic Works, Inc.

$100,000 / 2018 / Workforce Development

Civic Works Baltimore Center for Green Careers (BCGC) has built a multi-tiered green career “pathway out of poverty” by training and placing Baltimore City residents in the brownfields remediation and residential energy-efficiency industries. During the five-week entry-level brownfields remediation training program, participants receive five industry-recognized certifications and conduct a hands-on practicum. The three-month, entry-level energy retrofit installer training program provides one month of classroom-based instruction and two months of on-the-job training through Civic Works’ social enterprise, known as EnergyReady.  Graduates are placed into jobs earning $15.29 per hour.

Baltimore Teacher Supply Swap

$10,000 / 2018 / Education

In resource-strapped districts like Baltimore City, teachers spend an average of $600 of their own money each year for school supplies for their students. The Baltimore Teacher Supply Swap aims to lighten that burden by providing teachers with donated or surpassed supplies to support classroom learning. This grant supports the Swap’s Supply Mobile, which brings the most needed supplies directly to the teachers at their schools. 

Header photo courtesy of Thread.