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

CASA de Maryland, Inc.

$170,000 / 2011 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Baltimore Worker Employment Center for day laborers and low-income workers. The center provides employment placement services, financial literacy classes, free tax preparation, referrals to legal and social services, and assistance with citizenship applications.

Catholic Charities

$50,890 / 2011 / Health and Human Services
Two grants for continued support of the Traveler’s Aid Voucher Program at the Samaritan Center. The purpose of the program is to assist homeless persons who want to move out of Baltimore City to reunite with family, find employment, and/or access treatment for substance abuse, by providing one-way travel vouchers. Persons using the program must have a contact in the destination city willing to assume responsibility for finding new accommodations for recipients of the travel vouchers.

Catholic Charities

$60,000 / 2011 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of eviction prevention and utility assistance for more than 500 low-income households at risk of becoming homeless or losing utility services. The program is administered by the Samaritan Center.

Center for Urban Families

$450,000 / 2011 / Workforce Development
For continued support of STRIVE Baltimore, a job-training and placement service for men and women. The STRIVE model, an intensive three-week workshop, focuses on job readiness, job placement, post-placement support, one-on-one and group counseling, parenting skills, and case management.

Center for Watershed Protection, Inc.

$78,700 / 2011 / Environment
Toward support of “Pollution Source Reduction in Baltimore Watersheds,” in an effort to make the harbor clean enough for fishing and swimming. This two-year pilot on Harris Creek and Gwynns Falls sub-watersheds will focus on identifying and eliminating pollution sources of trash, nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment, and bacteria. By involving community members in monitoring efforts, the pilot is expected to increase its implementation of pollution reduction strategies.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.