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

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.

Humanim, Inc.

$5,000 / 2009 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For continued support of the Reality Resource Group residential housing program in support of Baltimore City residents recovering from substance abuse.

Incentive Mentoring Program

$69,056 / 2009 / Education
For continued support and expansion of an intensive mentoring program at Dunbar High School to include identification of a new cohort of ninth-grade students during the 2009-2010 school year. The program offers community service activities, after-school tutoring, SAT preparation, and college access and retention support over the course of seven years. Teams of eight to 12 mentors, primarily from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, work with each of the 15 students in each cohort to provide family-style, one-on-one mentoring two to seven times a week.

Job Opportunities Task Force

$47,000 / 2009 / Workforce Development
Toward renovation costs of 812 North Rose Street to accommodate four additional beds for disadvantaged residents transitioning into the workforce. The program provides on-the-job training and real-world construction experience for six JumpStart program graduates.

Job Opportunities Task Force

$50,000 / 2009 / Workforce Development
For support of the Baltimore CASH Campaign, an initiative to increase the use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), now expanded to 20 free tax preparation sites. The campaign identifies EITC-eligible populations and connects them to asset building resources including benefits screening through the EarnBenefits software, college financial aid filing assistance, and credit-repair counseling.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.