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

I Can’t We Can, Inc.

$100,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For general support of residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs at the new I Can’t We Can (ICWC) Counseling Center in the Park Heights community. ICWC will be able to double its capacity over a three- year period to serve up to 600 clients.

Institutes for Behavior Resources.

$75,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For the completion of renovations to the new headquarters of the R.E.A.C.H. mobile drug-abuse treatment program, the first full-service mobile drug-abuse treatment program of its kind. The new headquarters allows for more effective communication and coordination, efficient use of personnel resources, and a dispensing area on-site for methadone and buprenorphine.

Job Opportunities Task Force

$30,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For a study on the high cost of goods and services for low-income Baltimore City residents. The report will provide recommendations of ways to relieve the burden of high priced goods and services to low-income city residents, and to begin a community discussion about the inequality of pricing in the Baltimore area.

Job Opportunities Task Force

$100,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For support of JumpStart, a pre-apprenticeship program in the building and construction trades for 100 unemployed and underemployed Baltimore City residents referred by Goodwill Industries. Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) provides 13 weeks of training, two nights a week, for three hours each night. Following a successful 90-day job placement in the building trades, a trainee can apply for a four-year apprenticeship with ABC.

Jobs, Housing & Recovery, Inc.

$10,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For support of Carrington House, a drug and alcohol recovery facility. Carrington House programming includes long-term recovery, group counseling, individual counseling, educational support, employment readiness, training and placement, relapse-prevention, and life-skills classes.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.