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 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 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 your saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

Humanim, Inc.

$529,196 / 2012 / Workforce Development
Two grants toward expenses related to the merger of Harbor City Services and Humanim. Harbor City Services is a social enterprise that provides moving, document storage, shredding, and general warehousing services to more than 100 organizations. Harbor City Services employs Baltimore City residents with psychiatric disabilities, enabling them to acquire work skills, establish an employment record, and generate employer references.

HealthCare Access Maryland

$100,000 / 2012 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Baltimore Second Chance Jail Project, designed to serve recently released inmates. The program screens at least 200 inmates within 45 to 90 days of release for food stamps and Medicaid eligibility.

Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation

$35,000 / 2012 / Workforce Development
Toward support of the CARES Career Connection, an employment program that offers preliminary job counseling to 200 unemployed men and women in Baltimore City. Working with 35 to 40 unemployed persons at a given time, the career coordinator and Loyola University student volunteers provide counseling, resume preparation, mentoring, and assistance with job placement. The goal is to place a minimum of 70 clients in jobs within 12 months.

Episcopal Community Services of Maryland (ECSM)

$156,000 / 2012 / Workforce Development
Capital funding toward construction of the Collington Square Community Teaching Kitchen. ECSM plans to train participants in the Jericho Re-entry Program in food preparation, and place them into jobs. ECSM will offer classes in food preparation to more than 300 youth and adults living in the Collington Square community.

Community Health Integrated Partnership, Inc.

$46,555 / 2012 / Workforce Development
Toward continued support of the Community HealthCorps workforce development program. The goal of the program is to provide Baltimore City residents with access to primary and preventive health services, and expand utilization of health and social services. This effort is accomplished by hiring up to eight Community HealthCorps members who provide direct services to 6,500 people, and assist them with scheduling appointments, enrolling in benefit programs, and navigating the health-care system.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.