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

Bon Secours of Maryland Foundation

$39,746 / 2011 / Workforce Development
For the purchase and installation of 16 laptop and six desktop computers and software for the Bon Secours computer lab. The equipment will enable Bon Secours to provide free or low-cost tax preparation services to 1,600 tax filers. Bon Secours will also provide 20 residents with at least 30 hours of financial management training, 259 residents with financial counseling, and 155 residents with job-readiness training.

BioTechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc.

$75,000 / 2011 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the BioSTART and Laboratory Associates programs, which, upon completion, enable high school graduates and low-skilled workers to pursue entry-level positions in bioscience. The BioSTART program is a 12-week “bridge” program that introduces participants to bioscience terminology, occupations, and lab procedures, and provides math remediation. The Laboratory Associates program consists of nine weeks of lectures and laboratory exercises, and a three-week internship with a biotech laboratory.

Baltimore Outreach Services, Inc.

$25,000 / 2011 / Workforce Development
For support of the Culinary Arts Job Training Program, designed to place at least eight homeless women into internships at local restaurants or food service businesses. The program plans for interns to work 32 hours a week for eight weeks, earning $10 an hour. With an effective system of monitoring, evaluation, and support, the job placement rate is expected to be 80 percent.

Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare, Inc.

$90,000 / 2011 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Pre Allied Health Bridge Project and the Career Coaching Program designed to prepare health-care institution employees to meet the entry requirements for health-care training programs. The Alliance is launching an initiative in which students from Baltimore City public schools can complete the Baltimore City Community College’s developmental math requirements during their senior year of high school.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$50,000 / 2011 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative. The focus of the grant is to analyze wage gains of participants in three sector-based job-training programs, as well as training programs supported through the Baltimore Integration Partnership Training Fund. The collaborative will use the wage record analysis to determine which program proves to be most effective in moving participants to higher wages.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.