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

Marian House, Inc.

$10,000 / 2019 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

Marian House is a supportive housing program for homeless women and children located in the Better Waverly neighborhood of Baltimore City.  Funding from the Abell Foundation will support Marian House’s Impact Study which will track outcome data for Marian House residents who exited the program between 2011-2016.  Findings from the evaluation will help Marian House to identify any gaps in programming and to support its fundraising efforts.

Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools

$60,000 / 2019 / Education

This Abell grant will support two-year operational funding to The Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools (Alliance) to serve the 50 charter schools in Maryland, 34 of which are in Baltimore City. As  a voice for charter school communities, the Alliance advocates for equitable and transparent conditions for public charter schools; offers support to new and existing public charter schools; and drives the discussion around innovative educational practices that lead to positive outcomes for students. A major focus on this work is in Baltimore City, where 1 in 5 City public school students attends a charter school; 65% of Baltimore’s charter schools outperform the mean achievement performance of traditional schools.

 

Maryland New Directions

$80,000 / 2019 / Workforce Development

Maryland New Directions, Inc., (MND) is a private, nonprofit, career counseling and job placement agency that provides occupational skills training, including the Maritime Transportation Distribution and Logistics training program and the Commercial Transportation Careers training program.  MCAT also provides other employment services, inlcuding computer literacy training, walk-in job search and application support, individual job coaching, and other personalized support services.  Funding from Abell will support MND in assisting more than 300 job seekers in Baltimore.

Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City

$74,000 / 2019 / Education

The original Mayor’s Fellowship Program provided a summer internship that enabled the City of Baltimore to establish a pipeline to full time employment to high caliber young professionals, many of whom remain high profile leaders in City and County government today. With the support of Baltimore Corps, up to 10 graduate school students will be recruited for a ten-week Summer internship working on executive-level projects in high-functionning Baltimore City agencies and offices. Fellows meet weekly to learn about City government, and present their projects and findings to City Hall leaders at the end of internship. The goal of the Mayor’s Office is to hire successful Fellows in the two years following the internship experience.

Ms. Frances’ House

$10,000 / 2019 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

Ms. Frances’ House provides housing and substance use disorder treatement services to women and their children in Coppin Heights.  Funding from the Abell Foundation will support a gap in its operating budget for the fiscal year. 

Header photo courtesy of Thread.