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

Second Chance Project, Inc.

$50,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
To provide housing, employment, mental health services, and transportation to 300 ex-offenders released from Maryland State Correctional facilities. Second Chance will help ex-offenders obtain needed identification, including Social Security cards, Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) identification cards, and birth certificates. Second Chance will work with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Vital Records, the MVA, the Division of Corrections, and MOED to systematize the process by which ex-offenders obtain identification documents.

Rose Street Community Center

$300,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
For continued support of rehabilitation services for ex-offenders, both adult residents recovering from substance abuse and youth residents at risk. The center provides transitional housing and case management to as many as 30 men per week, linking them to employment opportunities, providing stipends for living expenses, and opportunities for after-school and community activities.

Moveable Feast

$33,300 / 2005 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Culinary Arts and Life Skills Training Program for unemployed and underemployed Baltimore City residents. Successful participants of the 12-week program, offered three times a year, receive certificates of completion of courses in culinary arts, CPR, first aid, and food handling. Graduates are placed in entry-level food service positions that pay at least $8.50 an hour, plus benefits.

Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED)

$477,259 / 2005 / Workforce Development
For support of the Ex-Offender Re-Entry Center in the Northwest Career Center. The Center, located at Mondawmin Mall in the Park Heights section of Baltimore City, will offer transitional support and employment-related services to ex-offenders in an effort to reduce recidivism. The Center will ensure that those served have identification documents, receive job procurement services and case management, and referrals to housing, substance abuse, health care, and legal services.

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service

$50,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Baltimore CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Campaign. The initiative, a free income tax preparation service, is designed to increase the use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a work incentive and poverty-alleviation tool. Its goal is to increase the number of tax returns prepared for low-income taxpayers eligible to receive the EITC tax refunds. The campaign will focus on asset development strategies, including targeting refunds toward individual development accounts, savings for homeownership, and tuition.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.