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

High Zero Foundation, Inc.

$5,000 / 2007 / Arts
For support of the High Zero 2007 Festival of Experimental Improvised Music. The four-day event, now receiving national notice, attracts high quality avant-garde musicians from around the world to participate in all-new collaborations with Baltimore artists.

Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition, Inc.

$50,000 / 2007 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For continued support of Dee’s Place, a 24-hour substance abuse recovery center serving residents in East Baltimore. As a key partner in the Threshold to Recovery initiative, Dee’s Place offers counseling, auricular acupuncture, case management, mental health services, referrals for jobs, housing, and counseling programs throughout the night, from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Homeless Persons Representation Project, Inc.

$150,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For continued support of an initiative designed to reduce housing and employment discrimination against ex-offenders in Maryland. The program will provide direct legal representation for Baltimore City ex-offenders, helping to expunge past arrests and convictions from criminal records. The program educates ex-offenders about the ramifications of their criminal records, sentencing procedures, and probation and parole.

Humanim, Inc.

$500,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
Capital funding toward the restoration of the American Brewery Brewhouse which will house Humanim’s vocational programs and staff, serving nearly 1,000 clients a year. Once the building is completed in spring 2009, Humanim plans to launch a pilot employment program to serve the residents of Broadway East.

Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies (ICJS)

$5,000 / 2007 / Education
Toward consulting fees in support of long-range planning, and to conduct independent evaluation in establishing models of greater interfaith understanding of ICJS programs aimed at increasing the organization’s effectiveness.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.