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

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

$43,989 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
For support of the Family Planning Initiative at the Center for Addiction and Pregnancy. The purpose of the initiative is to provide family planning education and counseling to high-risk, substance-abusing women who are pregnant or have young children.

Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies.

$90,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For an evaluation of the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development’s Re-entry Center at the Mondawmin Mall. The findings will be critical in determining the effect of case management on rates of recidivism for high-risk ex-offenders referred to the Re-entry Center by the Maryland Department of Probation and Parole.

Johns Hopkins University/ Bloomberg School of Public Health

$35,000 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
In support of the Baltimore Initiative, to develop a plan designed to improve life circumstances for disadvantaged and at-risk youth of East Baltimore, and to address related problems of drugs, crime, education, and joblessness. After profiling the population and reviewing existing programs at work in the community, the Baltimore Initiative’s recommendations will be presented to Baltimore leadership for review and implementation.

Johns Hopkins University/Center for Social Organization of Schools

$75,000 / 2006 / Education
Toward the establishment of the Baltimore Education Research Consortium (BERC). A collaborative effort of four partner organizations, BERC will annually produce data on core issues critical for the development of school system policies. The consortium will have the capacity to produce rapid response summary analyses to help both the school district and the school reform committee react appropriately to challenges as they occur.

Jubilee Baltimore, Inc.

$50,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For support of an initiative to develop homeownership in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District and the Hollins Market neighborhood. The initiative is intended to attract investment in the neighborhoods by marketing vacant properties for acquisition and renovation.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.