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

From Prison Cells to PhD, Inc

$20,000 / 2020 / 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.  Components of the P2P Program include the following: (1) An 8-week workshop; and (2) Ten months of case management which includes weekly peer mentoring, executive coaching, and tutoring.

From the Heart Productions

$50,000 / 2024 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

In support of “The Last Trace,” a documentary focused on a groundbreaking DNA collection initiative in the Baltimore region that has led to the solving of multiple rape cold cases.

Fuel Fund of Maryland

$50,000 / 2021 / Community Development

In support of the Silver Lights initiative, which provides financial and educational resources to vulnerable Baltimore families and seniors experiencing difficulty with paying their heat and home utility expenses.

Learn More

Fuel Fund of Maryland

$100,000 / 2018 / Community Development

The Fuel Fund of Maryland provides financial and educational resources to vulnerable Maryland families for heat and home utility needs. Through collaborative funding and services, Fuel Fund ensures affordable energy to families that must overcome hardship caused by poverty and assists these families to meet their basic human needs. This grant provided support for the Affordability Solutions programs, which include bill assistance, Watt Watchers, and Energy Coaching.

Fuel Fund of Maryland

$50,000 / 2023 / Community Development

In support of the Silver Lights energy assistance program for Baltimore City seniors and households with critical medical needs, which provides one-one-one navigational support for accessing utility fee assistance.

Learn More

Header photo courtesy of Thread.