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

Caroline Center, Inc.

$50,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
Toward renovation costs to relocate the Caroline Center Upholstery shop to larger facilities. The additional space will enable the “earn-as-you-learn” upholstering business to increase the number of women trained, as well as to increase program revenue.

Business Interface, Inc.

$80,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
Seed funding to work with employers within the mining industry to create job opportunities for disadvantaged persons in Baltimore City. The CNX Marine Terminal, located at the Port of Baltimore, provides an opportunity to place and retain Baltimore residents in entry-level laborer positions in the transshipment of coal from rail to ocean-going vessels.

BioTechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc.

$47,575 / 2006 / Workforce Development
In support of BioSTART, a 12-week bridge program introducing Baltimore residents to bioscience terminology, employment possibilities, laboratory procedures, and laboratory math. Upon successful completion, students move to the nine-week laboratory associates class, followed by three-week paid internships. The internships qualify the applicants for entry-level laboratory positions with average starting wages of $12 per hour, plus benefits.

Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare, Inc.

$75,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For continued support and expansion of career coaching, career mapping, and the Pre-Allied Health Bridge Project. The project is designed to assist entry-level workers obtain the requisite basic skills for post-secondary training leading to higher paying jobs in health care.

Art with a Heart

$9,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For support of the Summer Jobcorps program, a visual arts program for ten at-risk youth, ages 14 to 21, living in the Rose Street neighborhood. Students will meet five days a week for four weeks to create art work, such as mosaics and decoupage furniture, to display and market at the 2006 Artscape.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.