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

Moveable Feast, Inc.

$25,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Culinary Arts and Life Skills Training Program for hard-to-place unemployed and underemployed Baltimore City residents. The 12-week skilled job-training program is offered to 48 students a year. The program’s curriculum includes CPR, first aid, and food handling. Graduates interested in pursuing employment in entry-level food service positions are placed in jobs that pay at least $8.50 an hour, plus benefits.

Mayor’s Office of Employment Development.

$477,250 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Ex-Offender Re-entry Center at Northwest Career Center, located at the Mondawmin Mall. The center offers transitional support and employment-related services to more than 5,600 ex-offenders in an effort to reduce recidivism. In addition to providing employment-related services, the center will ensure that those served will have identification documents and referrals to housing, substance abuse, health care, and legal services.

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service

$50,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Baltimore CASH Campaign, a free tax preparation service designed to increase the use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Its goal is to complete at least 6,500 tax returns for low-income taxpayers eligible to receive the EITC refunds. The campaign will focus on asset development strategies, including directing refunds toward individual bank accounts, and savings for homeownership and tuition.

Maryland Center for Arts and Technology, Inc.

$74,750 / 2006 / Workforce Development
To hire a Deputy Director for expansion of job training programs for unemployed and underemployed youth and adults in Baltimore City. The Maryland Center for Arts and Technology has developed customized health care and customer service training programs that consist of ten-week classroom training and an eight-week paid internship.

Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies.

$90,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For an evaluation of the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development’s Re-entry Center at the Mondawmin Mall. The findings will be critical in determining the effect of case management on rates of recidivism for high-risk ex-offenders referred to the Re-entry Center by the Maryland Department of Probation and Parole.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.