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

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.

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.

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.

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.

See Our Past Grants

Mi Casa, Inc.

$25,000 / 2010 / Community Development
Toward start-up costs and the first phase of the Johnston Square Homeownership Project. Initiated by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, the project focuses on renovating vacant houses, and increasing homeownership and employment for local contractors and residents.

Maryland PIRG Foundation

$25,000 / 2010 / Community Development
Toward continued support of the Smart Energy Solutions Program, a statewide campaign to promote energy policies focused on energy efficiency and conservation. Maryland Public Interest Group will provide research and analysis on the implementation of new utility energy-efficiency programs, and seek to measure the effectiveness of the programs in meeting state goals for reduction of energy use. The campaign will send the message that it is state policy to provide funding for energy policies and programs aimed at lowering residential energy costs, providing relief to the lowest income customers, creating jobs, and reducing the negative public health impacts of pollution and carbon dioxide emissions from energy generation and distribution.

Maryland ABCD Networkᅠ

$5,000 / 2010 / Community Development
Toward support of promoting Affordable Housing Land Trusts for homeownership opportunities in Baltimore City. By controlling the land on which housing is built, community land trusts provide an opportunity to revitalize a community through construction or renovation of housing that is affordable and less vulnerable to foreclosure.

Innovative Housing Institute

$5,000 / 2010 / Community Development
Toward the preparation of a grant application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Sustainable Communities Initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to improve regional planning efforts that integrate housing and transportation decisions and increase state, regional, and local communities to incorporate livability, sustainability, and social equity principles into land use and zoning.

Homes for America

$40,000 / 2010 / Community Development
Two-year funding toward the salary of a full-time Resident Services Case Manager, to provide support for expansion of the Broadway Replacement Homes Program. The case manager will help families address the problems of how to obtain entitled benefits, access training and employment opportunities, receive assistance with financial management, and get help with connecting to resources that will not only help them remain in their homes but will also keep their children in school.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.