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

Project PLASE, Inc.

$250,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Capital funding toward the development of Beacon House Square in the St. Joseph’s Monastery school building, which will provide homeless adults with housing that includes 60 transitional and 30 permanent units. The consolidation of apartments into one 60,000-square-foot facility reduces costs and increases the overall efficiency of program delivery.

Reach Out and Read

$50,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward the salary of a Program Director for the Greater Baltimore School Readiness Project, and for the purchase of books to implement a one-on-one literacy tutoring project for 160 students in grades K through five in four Title 1 schools in Baltimore City. The project recruits and trains volunteers to work with students twice a week for a minimum of 16 hours. It aims to have students reading closer to grade level by the end of the school year.

Reading Partners

$35,000 / 2012 / Education
Two grants for the implementation of Reading Partners, a one-on-one, twice-a-week K-5 tutoring program using trained community volunteers, in five Baltimore City public elementary schools. The program targets low-performing readers and is complemented by the Take Reading Home program, which provides age- and skill-appropriate reading materials for home use. The goal is to have students performing closer to grade level by the end of the school year.

Recovery in Community

$103,425 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
To provide outreach services and housing placement for clients recovering from substance abuse. Recovery In Community will provide three months of transitional housing for up to 35 clients who now live in nonsupportive environments. The program will continue to recruit and engage clients in treatment through canvassing on the streets and linkages to other agencies.

Reservoir Hill Improvement Council, Inc.

$35,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Capital funding toward support of Phase II of the German Park restoration.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.