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

Baltimore HealthCare Access, Inc .

$10,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
To continue to provide birth certificates and photo IDs for Baltimore City residents who are in need of health insurance, shelter, housing, and addiction services. Baltimore HealthCare Access will screen applicants for eligibility for health insurance programs and, if needed, purchase identification and citizenship documents for clients applying for benefits.

B-SPIRIT-A2Y

$40,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of after-school tutoring and mentoring programs for at-risk students in the Park Heights Community, and for operating expenses to provide utilities, insurance, and security monitoring for a newly renovated and expanded after-school facility. Located in one of the poorest and most distressed neighborhoods in Baltimore City, B-Spirit-A2Y offers an opportunity for 50 children and adolescents to engage in tutoring, homework support, community service projects, organized games, and sporting events in a safe and nurturing environment.

Anne Arundel County Food & Resource Bank, Inc.

$5,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
For repair of the food bank’s only commercial refrigeration unit, allowing the food bank to continue to distribute perishable, nutritious food to an increasing number of people in need.

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Maryland, Inc.

$150,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Regional Housing Equity Project. The purpose of the project is to provide more than 6,000 families the opportunity to move from racially isolated public housing units in Baltimore City to nonimpacted, low-poverty, racially integrated neighborhoods throughout the region that offer greater education, employment, and housing opportunities.

Advocates for Children and Youth (ACY)

$60,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
Toward continued support of programming designed to improve quality of life for Baltimore City children. As part of the “Maryland Can Do Better for Children” campaign, ACY provides research-based recommendations for strategies to meet the needs of Maryland’s children, including the implementation of the Family Team Decision Making model to help reduce the number of foster care placements; the promotion of bonuses to attract strong school principals; support for community-based programs such as Multi-Systemic Therapy and Functional Family Therapy, which have been shown to reduce recidivism; and expansion of oral health care for children on Medicaid.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.