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

GROUP Ministries, Inc .

$105,370 / 2008 / Workforce Development
For the purchase of a house in the Rosemont community, and to provide job training for ex-offenders engaged in the renovation work of that house. GROUP Ministries plans to train 20 to 30 men in carpentry, drywall, and painting in preparation for pre-journeyman status. The house, once completed, will be used as a transitional group home for ex-offenders in recovery.

Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc.

$75,000 / 2008 / Environment
Three-year funding for long-term research on the effect of planting switchgrass to reduce subsurface nitrogen seepage from Eastern Shore croplands into the Chesapeake Bay, and on the feasibility of switchgrass serving as a perennial grass-based source of biofuel to local agricultural and conservation communities.

Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc .

$75,000 / 2008 / Community Development
For continued support of neighborhoods targeted for revitalization. Healthy Neighborhoods, a partnership of banks, foundations, government, and community organizations, provides operating grants and a home purchase and improvement loan program to help underserved neighborhoods increase home values, market their communities, maintain efforts for property improvement, and increase the level of renovation and investment.

Healthy Teen Network

$21,571 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
Toward costs related to the relocation of Healthy Teen Network’s headquarters from Washington, DC to Baltimore City. The teen pregnancy prevention program is focused on providing comprehensive educational resources to professionals working in the areas of adolescent reproductive health, with an emphasis on pregnancy prevention and supportive services for teen parenting.

Helping Up Mission

$250,000 / 2008 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward capital renovations of Helping Up Mission’s 1029 East Baltimore Street facility. The renovation will bring the 100-year-old building into compliance with the American Disabilities Act and State of Maryland building codes, and provide safe, temperature-controlled classrooms, a conference room, a library, a recreation area, and a multipurpose room for up to 370 men participating in the Spiritual Recovery Program. The site includes a dormitory for 60 to 70 emergency overnight guests and offices.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.