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

Canton Community Association

$5,000 / 2007 / Community Development
For the development of a Master Plan for the Canton Dog Park, designed to serve as a model for a citywide network of dog parks.

CASA of Maryland, Inc.

$200,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Baltimore Worker Employment Center for day laborers and low-income workers. The formal hiring center, where day laborers can have a safe, organized way of finding work rather than waiting on a street corner, will enable more than 250 workers a month to find temporary jobs, 100 workers to find permanent positions, and more than 500 workers to obtain identification cards.

Catholic Charities

$75,000 / 2007 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For continued support of the Re-entry Partnership Initiative in West Baltimore, including salaries for the program director and casework coordinator. The initiative links offenders returning to the community with integrated services located in East and West Baltimore to provide transition from prison back into community.

Center for Urban Families

$300,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
Ninth-year support of STRIVE Baltimore, a job training and placement service for unemployed and underemployed men and women. STRIVE prepares participants for the workforce thorough a three-week intensive workshop focusing on job readiness. The STRIVE model emphasizes attitudinal training, job placement, one-on-one and group counseling, parenting skills, and case management.

Center for Urban Families

$750,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
Three-year capital funding for construction of a new headquarters and workforce development center in the Mondawmin neighborhood. The new headquarters will house STRIVE Baltimore, the Baltimore Responsible Fatherhood Project, and the Baltimore Building Strong Families Program. All three programs target families and individuals with histories of substance abuse, ex-offenders, and people who lack access to social support systems.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.