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

Mayor’s Office of Information Technology

$53,200 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For the development and implementation of the CitiWatch Community Partnership program. The two components of this program include building a database of information gathered by security cameras for use in subsequent criminal investigations, and marketing the program to the community.

Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement

$200,000 / 2023 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

In support of technical assistance for Baltimore’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS).

Learn More

Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement

$170,938 / 2022 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

In support of the salary of a Warrant Service Analyst who will reconfigure Baltimore City’s warrant service to prioritize violent and repeat offenders, increasing the likelihood that law enforcement agencies will effectively deploy limited resources and reduce crime.

Learn More

Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, Fiscally Sponsored by Baltimore Civic Fund

$75,000 / 2020 / Workforce Development

The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) operates one of the largest summer employment program among larger cities, last year employing 8,600 young people between the ages of 14 and 21 for five weeks.  In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MOED plans to operate a smaller initiative, employing 4,000 youth in jobs with over 100 non-profit and government partners.  Many youth will work remotely for an average of 20 hours a week for five weeks, earning $11 per hour.

Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement / Baltimore Civic Fund

$162,000 / 2026 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

In support of technical assistance to strengthen and institutionalize Baltimore’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) as a citywide violence reduction initiative.

Learn more

Header photo courtesy of Thread.