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 reach out to an Abell staff member to discuss their idea or submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application.

Contact Us or Email Us 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

1000 Friends of Maryland

$200,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Funding to advance comprehensive land use and transportation policy reform at state and local levels. 1000 Friends focuses on a public agenda that encourages the redevelopment of existing communities and preservation of Maryland’s open space, agricultural land, and forests, through several strategies that include restricting the development of new septic systems, holding Maryland accountable to meet pollution-reduction goals, reforming estate tax for farming families, and investing in local transportation systems.

Valley/Bridge House

$50,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward general operating costs of a transitional housing program that provides substance abuse treatment services to 87 Baltimore City men each year living in the two houses. The objective is to achieve a 75 percent rate of completion of the 12-step facilitation program.

United Ministries, Inc.

$85,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Two-year funding for continued support of Earl’s Place Transitional Housing Project, which serves 17 homeless men recovering from addiction each year. The grant covers the salary of a director of development.

TurnAround, Inc.

$285,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Continued support toward operating expenses that will provide outreach, support services, emergency shelter, and transitional housing for 125 Baltimore City women who are victims of sex trafficking. Efforts will be made to create statewide victim identification and response protocols.

Talitha Cumi Safe Haven

$5,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward capital improvements to a facility that provides outreach services for female ex-offenders recovering from substance abuse.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.