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

Friends of Patterson Park.

$18,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For continued support of the Volunteer Teams Project. The purpose of the project is to provide volunteer-driven decision-making authority over Patterson Park’s improvements and upkeep of the boat lake, trees, beautification projects, and the Pagoda.

Friends Research Institute, Inc.

$29,029 / 2011 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward expenses related to an evaluation of the Baltimore Buprenorphine Initiative. The initiative was designed to provide buprenorphine along with either intensive out-patient (IOP) or out-patient (OP) counseling to address opioid addiction. The research seeks to determine the short-term effectiveness of the two counseling treatments after 12 months.

From Prison Cells to PhD Inc.

$50,000 / 2025 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

In support of general operating funds to provide reentry and higher education support to returning citizens.

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From Prison Cells to PhD Inc.

$45,000 / 2022 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

In support of general operations for the Prison to Professional program (P2P), which helps people with criminal convictions obtain employment and/or postsecondary education. P2P will provide 80 returning citizens with workforce development training, career readiness skills, college application/readiness assistance, and mentoring.

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From Prison Cells to PhD, Inc

$20,000 / 2021 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

From Prison Cells to PhD was created in 2016 to help people with criminal convictions obtain employment and/or postsecondary education (PSE).  Clients receive workforce development training, career readiness skills, college application/readiness assistance, and 1-2 years or more of mentoring.  Funding from the Abell Foundation will support its Prison to Professional (P2P) program providing these services to individuals recently released from the Baltimore City Detention Center (BCDC). P2P will serve 80 individuals in several cohorts over the next year virtually and if restrictions allow at some point in-person.

Learn More

Header photo courtesy of Thread.