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

CollegeBound Foundation, Inc.

$105,000 / 2010 / Education
For fifth-year support of the College Retention Project for 300 Last Dollar Grant recipients at participating colleges. The goal of the project is to increase college graduation rates among low-income and first-generation college students from Baltimore City public schools. The program includes one-on-one and group on-campus counseling sessions; parent/student seasonal workshops; emergency hot lines; and identification of learning assistance centers, labs, tutorials, and remedial services.

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.

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.

Creative Alliance, Inc.

$5,000 / 2010 / Arts
Toward redesign and upgrade of the Creative Alliance website. Centered in the former Patterson Theater, funding allows the Alliance to provide interactive artistic and educational programming to a wider audience. The upgrades intend to improve connections to social media, ticketing, and marketing, and the development of virtual tours.

Deborah’s Place, Inc.

$10,000 / 2010 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Two grants for repairs and furnishings of a property in the Park Heights community for a transitional housing facility serving up to eight women recovering from substance abuse. The women are encouraged to go back to school, find jobs, or participate in job-training programs such as STRIVE. They are required to attend NA/AA meetings and pay $325 a month for rent.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.