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 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 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 your saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc.

$75,000 / 2010 / Community Development
For continued general support of a partnership of banks, foundations, government agencies, and community organizations committed to strengthening 15 underserved neighborhoods targeted for revitalization. Healthy Neighborhoods, in turn, provides grants to neighborhoods for marketing, community organizing, and projects designed to preserve and improve real estate values. It offers below market rate loans for home improvements and homeownership counseling, technical and architectural services, and construction management.

Health Care for the Homeless, Inc.

$5,000 / 2010 / Community Development
For a study to assess effects of a LEED (Leadership Environmental and Energy Design)-certified building on the working environment. Research will provide evidence of the impacts of the LEED building on the built environment, specifically, health, safety, and staff issues in health-care facilities.

Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc.

$65,000 / 2010 / Community Development
To hire a project coordinator for support of the Senior Home Repair and Modification Program in Northwest Baltimore. The program is designed to respond to the changing lifestyle needs of low-income senior and disabled homeowners by providing them with access to affordable home repair and modification services. These efforts are expected to improve the quality of life for the seniors and the disabled in their own homes and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Community Law Center, Inc.

$80,000 / 2010 / Community Development
For support of a program designed to provide legal remedy for Baltimore neighborhoods suffering from property neglect. In collaboration with the Citizens Planning and Housing Association, the Community Law Center will research, prepare, and file a lawsuit to force a specific real estate investor to bring his vacant properties in the neighborhood up to code and, as part of remedial action, transfer properties to responsible owners. The intent is to create a legal process for preventing property neglect and improve the quality of life in the affected neighborhoods.

Civic Works ﾠ

$50,000 / 2010 / Community Development
For continued support of Project Lightbulb, an energy-conservation pilot project for residents of the Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello and Belair-Edison neighborhoods. The program offers free home energy education and energy-saving assistance to low-income households. Trained AmeriCorps members implement practical strategies to combat rising energy costs, including: hot water heater and water pipe insulation; light bulb replacement with compact fluorescent bulbs; installation of carbon monoxide detectors; low-flow showerheads and faucets; and the setting of appropriate thermostat temperatures.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.