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

ACLU Foundation of Maryland, Inc.

$200,000 / 2012 / Education

Two-year funding for continued support of the Baltimore City Education Reform Project, designed to maintain and secure equitable and adequate state and city education funding for all children in Maryland, with particular focus on disadvantaged children. The agenda calls for the reinstitution of the inflation factor in the budget, advocacy for full-day pre-K programs for poor children, interventions designed to increase attendance, and lower suspension rates. The ACLU will also monitor Baltimore City Public Schools to ensure that management and funding reforms translate into effective educational programming and that there is increased family participation in free and reduced-price meal programs.

ACLU Foundation of Maryland, Inc.

$150,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Regional Housing Equity Project, designed to provide African-American families with the opportunity to move to low-poverty areas in the surrounding counties and in Baltimore City, where they can expect to enjoy safer neighborhoods, better schools, and increased access to job opportunities. As the result of a partial settlement of the Thompson v. HUD lawsuit in 1996, and with assistance from the housing mobility program, more than 2,000 inner-city families from public housing projects have been able to move throughout the region. A final settlement of the lawsuit in 2012 will enable 2,600 additional families to move to neighborhoods that offer better opportunities.

ACLU Foundation of Maryland, Inc.

$5,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
For general support of Maryland ACLU activities.

ACLU Foundation of Maryland, Inc.

$5,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward the establishment of the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership, designed to serve as the regional administrator for the additional 2,600 vouchers secured by the settlement agreement of the Thompson v. HUD lawsuit. This settlement allows public housing residents to move to neighborhoods less impacted by poverty, in an effort to access better schools, safer neighborhoods, and greater job opportunities.

Adopt A Block, Inc.

$10,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward the purchase of building materials for Compassion Commission, a youth-driven program in the Greenmount West community in East Baltimore. Once a property is renovated, it is typically donated to a long-time resident of the neighborhood who has never owned a home but has a track record of community service.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.