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

St. Francis Neighborhood Center

$100,000 / 2018 / Health and Human Services

The St. Francis Neighborhood Center has served the Reservoir Hill neighborhood in many ways since 1963, including by offering after-school programming where students engage in tutoring and homework assistance along with arts, music, and performance activities. This grant supported the organization in the renovation and expansion of their 125-year-old three-story townhome at 2405 Linden Avenue. The new 12,000 sq. ft. facility will include five classrooms, a study hall and library, a café and kitchen, two meeting rooms, a multi-purpose room, an art studio, and an expanded computer lab. 

The 6th Branch

$35,000 / 2018 / Community Development

The 6th Branch (T6B) utilizes the leadership and organizational skills of military veterans to execute aggressive community service initiatives in Baltimore City. It builds community by bringing together service-minded veterans and civilians to serve the community on the home front. This grant provided support for The 6th Branch’s Neighborscape Program, which transforms the vacant areas in Baltimore City communities into thriving community assets.

The Justice Policy Institute

$20,000 / 2018 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

The Justice Policy Institute (JPI) is a non-profit research, public policy and communications organization that focuses both locally and nationally on reforms in the juvenile and criminal justice systems. This grant provided funding to continue JPI’s efforts to use the successful reentry of the Unger population to advocate for parole reform and effective reentry services in Maryland.

The Samaritan Community

$30,000 / 2018 / Health and Human Services

The Samaritan Community provides assistance to meet the needs of families and individuals who are in crisis and wish to improve their lives. This grant supported the Crisis Intervention Assistance and Empowerment programs, which include a food pantry, clothing and household goods, financial assistance, case management, and individual and group counseling. Other services include access to a computer room and referrals to other agencies, including health and mental health clinics, drug treatment providers, and employment programs. 

Transit Choices

$20,000 / 2018 / Community Development

Transit Choices is a coalition of business organizations, universities, cultural institutions, community groups, planners, developers and entrepreneurs concerned with creating an efficient and effective public transit system in Baltimore. Transit Choices engages the coalition to develop priorities for investment and to advocate for improvements that increase options for work and school commutes for the 35 percent of Baltimore residents without cars and address transit mobility as a competitiveness issue for the city. This grant provides operating support.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.