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 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 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 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 Center for Fathers, Families and Workforce Development

$400,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
Seventh-year funding of STRIVE Baltimore, a comprehensive job training and placement program for unemployed men and women. STRIVE prepares participants for the workforce through a three-week workshop that focuses on job readiness. Services include job placement, one-on-one and group counseling, and case management.

Catholic Charities

$500,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
Toward final construction costs of the new Our Daily Bread Employment Center. The Center will house four programs: Our Daily Bread, which serves meals to an average of 750 homeless persons per day and breakfast on weekdays to more than 100 seniors and disabled persons; Christopher’s Place Employment Academy, a residential program the helps homeless men find and maintain full-time employment at a living wage and permanent housing; St. Jude’s Employment Center, which places poor, homeless, and disadvantaged persons back into the workforce; and The Samaritan Center, which provides traveler’s aid service and bus vouchers to homeless persons who want to leave Baltimore City to reunite with family, find employment, or access substance abuse treatment.

CASA of Maryland, Inc.

$180,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
Toward the establishment of the Baltimore Worker Employment Center for day laborers and other low-income workers. CASA, temporarily operating out of two trailers, will provide employment placement services and legal services, and counseling in financial matters.

BioTechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc.

$37,500 / 2005 / Workforce Development
For support of a partnership with Shire U.S. Manufacturing, Inc., to develop a training program for entry-level laboratory technician positions. The Institute’s program is designed to enhance students’ understanding of biotechnology and to introduce them to careers in the field.

Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS)/Baltimore Freedom Academy

$5,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
Toward costs of Family Matters, a job readiness program operated by BCPSS, designed to develop and implement art workshops for youth and families with young children in an after-school setting. By offering Baltimore Freedom Academy students job readiness skills and opportunities to serve as assistants in art workshops, the program is expected to instill positive work habits.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.