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

University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center

$5,000 / 2008 / Environment
Toward the launching of a virtual farmers’ market website, connecting buyers and sellers with availability of local produce. This project is among the first of its kind in the country, and provides an online venue for informing the general public about when food is harvested, how much is available, and where it can be purchased from local farmers’ markets.

University of Maryland School of Medicine

$37,900 / 2008 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For the cost of producing ten PSAs and a three-minute violence prevention program designed to reach at-risk disadvantaged teens from Baltimore City through cell phones and other portable media. Links to the videos will be posted on You Tube and My Space. DVDs will be available to all Baltimore City public schools. An evaluation will be conducted to determine if these emerging technologies are a viable dissemination mechanism to reach the targeted audience.

Vehicles for Change, Inc.

$60,000 / 2008 / Workforce Development
For continuation of an initiative to provide 30 reliable, reconditioned, and Maryland-inspected cars to low-income persons in Baltimore City. Partnering with community-based organizations, Vehicles for Change enables individuals to drive to work and transport their families to essential destinations.

Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc .

$30,000 / 2008 / Environment
Toward support of the Chesapeake Stormwater Initiative, a collaborative project of local waterkeepers organized to monitor and initiate legal action against noncompliant developers known to be polluting the waterways. The regional office coordinates the activities of the “Get Out the Dirt” campaign, focusing on the reduction of stormwater from construction sites.

Women’s Housing Coalition

$25,000 / 2008 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
To provide case management services at the new Jenkins House residence for low-income, disabled women. The goal of Jenkins House is to stabilize residents in permanent housing and prepare them for increased levels of independent living through supportive services with the help of a case manager. Services include counseling in life skills, job placement, education, relapse prevention, mental health, and entitlement benefits.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.