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?

First-time applicants with grant requests greater than $10,000 should reach out to an Abell staff member to discuss their idea or submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application.

Contact Us or Email Us an LOI

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.

Start a Small Grant Application

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.

Start a Regular Grant Application

Returning to a Saved Application or Submitting a Report?

Log into the grant portal below to return to a saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant. Report forms can be found under the “Requirements” tab.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

Housing Authority of Baltimore City

$200,000 / 2009 / Health and Human Services
Continued support to provide security deposits to as many as 275 families moving to non-impacted areas outside Baltimore City. Tenants are given Housing Choice vouchers to move into the private rental market which offers the opportunity to enjoy greater safety and security, better schools, and improved health outcomes.

House of Ruth

$25,000 / 2009 / Health and Human Services
Toward support of the Emergency Client Support program designed for victims of domestic violence and their children. The fund will be used to address the barriers that victims experience in securing safe accommodations by helping to pay for short-term motel stays, security deposits and rent assistance, transportation expenses, emergency health expenses, and help in securing identification and citizenship documents.

Homeless Persons Representation Project, Inc.

$75,000 / 2009 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Housing First advocacy project, designed to reduce barriers to housing for homeless persons through advocacy, training, legal representation, and monitoring of Baltimore’s Housing First program.

Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition, Inc.

$5,000 / 2009 / Health and Human Services
For support of an after-school program three days a week at the Hattie N. Harrison Community Center for 30 children in need of supervision and academic support. The staff develops a portfolio for each participant to mark the progress of work and projects completed over the course of the year.

Healthy Teen Network

$25,000 / 2009 / Health and Human Services
To develop a strategic plan to reduce the teen birth rate in Baltimore City by using the Getting to Outcomes planning model. The program will assess needs and resources, define goals, and evaluate and determine sustainable programming to help ensure that adolescent productive health efforts are effective.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.