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

The WorkFirst Foundation

$400,000 / 2012 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Baltimore Ex-Offender Re-entry Employment Program for America Works of Maryland participants. The program offers two-week training sessions, enrolling ex-offenders and those recently released from prison, and then placing them into employment.

TurnAround, Inc.

$285,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Continued support toward operating expenses that will provide outreach, support services, emergency shelter, and transitional housing for 125 Baltimore City women who are victims of sex trafficking. Efforts will be made to create statewide victim identification and response protocols.

United Ministries, Inc.

$85,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Two-year funding for continued support of Earl’s Place Transitional Housing Project, which serves 17 homeless men recovering from addiction each year. The grant covers the salary of a director of development.

United Way of Central Maryland

$183,750 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
To provide rent subsidies for 75 homeless men and women in the transitional employment program of The Journey Home (Baltimore City’s 10-year plan to end homelessness).

United Way of Central Maryland

$30,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward support of the costs of a housing case manager to serve homeless clients participating in the Journey Home transitional employment program.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.