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

The Piney Woods School

$99,000 / 2008 / Education
To provide scholarships for 11 male students from at-risk environments in Baltimore City to attend a college-preparatory boarding school in Mississippi for the 2008-2009 school year. This grant includes funds for a resident counselor to help each student adjust to boarding school, by encouraging positive attitudes, study habits, appropriate social behavior, and academic achievement.

The Salvation Army

$5,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
For general support of services for the homeless and needy.

Towson University

$50,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
For the continued support of an oral health intervention program serving up to 200 homeless persons at the Helping Up Mission. The program offers oral health education, screenings, dental care, and restorative health care with work done mostly by volunteer dentists, dental students, and nursing students.

Transitioning Lives, Inc .

$75,000 / 2008 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Challenge grant for capital expansion of a residential facility to create six double-room occupancy units and four single-room occupancy units for 16 male ex-offenders. Participants in this program are housed for a period of up to six months in a highly structured residential environment where they engage in substance-abuse and vocational counseling, and attend Narcotics Anonymous/Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Job-readiness services, as well as planning for suitable housing options three months prior to departure, are available.

Tuerk House, Inc.

$150,000 / 2008 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward Phase 1 renovation costs of Tuerk House, a residential treatment facility for recovering addicts and alcoholics. Serving as a 28-day residential program and out-patient clinic, Tuerk House is undertaking improvements to meet code requirements for the infrastructure and safety regulations, including the installation of a new sprinkler system and replacement of a roof. Tuerk House serves more than 900 individuals a year.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.