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

ACLU Foundation of Maryland, Inc.

$75,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For support of an initiative to promote reforms for children and families in the Baltimore and Maryland criminal justice systems. The ACLU continues to work on the monitoring of arrests and to advocate for changes designed to reduce incarceration rates for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

A Step Forward, Inc.

$33,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For code-compliant improvements of a community kitchen to enhance a faith-based transitional housing facility in West Baltimore for eight men in treatment for substance abuse.

Y of Central Maryland

$50,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward support of the eight-week New Horizons II Summer Camp for Homeless Youth in Baltimore City. The experience provides life-skills development, academic activities, enrichment projects, and paid employment, along with courses in financial literacy and individualized case management

University of Maryland School of Medicine

$5,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward the purchase of molecular reagents required to research novel approaches for the expansion of normal stem cells and killing of cancer stem cells.

University of Maryland School of Medicine

$25,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward support of the Child Abuse and Maltreatment Prevention Program, an intervention program designed to involve pediatricians in identifying and addressing risk factors for child maltreatment. The Multidisciplinary Team, including representatives from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the Johns Hopkins Hospital, the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, meets bi-weekly to make recommendations for services designed to prevent abuse and reduce the number of reports to Child Protective Services.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.