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

Agape Family Empowerment Center

$5,000 / 2011 / Health and Human Services
Toward expenses related to the Park Heights Saints Football program for youth in the Park Heights community. The program emphasizes teamwork, self-respect, and achievement in school and in life.

Alternative Directions, Inc.

$56,000 / 2011 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward support of staffing for the Hand in Hand Baltimore mentoring/re-entry program serving juvenile male offenders charged as adults. The organization provides wrap-around mentoring, as well as mental health, academic, and job-training services leading to a successful transition. The goal is to work with 30 incarcerated youth in their pre-release program, and 15 in the re-entry program.

Alternative Directions, Inc.

$71,000 / 2011 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward support of the Turn About Program, a transition program that provides re-entry services, case management, and self advocacy training for female ex-offenders. Women leaving prison can participate in the Turn About Program as a condition of their parole, while making a one-year commitment. As part of developing individualized plans, the participants receive a range of services including substance abuse treatment, parenting classes, job training, and GED classes.

American Farmland Trust

$65,000 / 2011 / Environment
For the third and final year of the pilot project, Clean Water for the Chesapeake Bay – Mobilizing Farmers to Improve Water Quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Designed as a risk-management tool, the Best Management Practices Challenge for Planned Nitrogen Reduction benefits the 29 regional farmers who, committed to reducing their fertilizer use, were guaranteed reimbursements if yields were lower. A certified nutrient management specialist was hired and more precise computerized systems with infrared sensors were employed to determine the amount of nitrogen already in the ground. As part of the “best practices,” these findings may be useful in scaling up environmentally sound practices, thus reducing nutrient runoff into the Bay.

Art on Purpose

$5,000 / 2011 / Education
Toward support of the Black Male Identity Project in 50 Baltimore City public schools.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.