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

Quarterway Houses, Inc.

$75,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward renovations of the Weisman-Kaplan House and the Nilsson House, halfway houses that provide homeless men and women with long- term drug treatment and wraparound services following their release from Tuerk House. Renovations will ensure that the facilities meet community standards.

Rose Street Community Center

$300,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For continued support of rehabilitation services for ex-offenders, adults recovering from substance abuse, and at-risk youth. The center provides transitional housing and case management to as many as 30 men per week, linking them to employment opportunities, providing stipends for living expenses, and referring them to drug treatment and job training programs. At-risk youth are provided with opportunities for after-school and community activities.

Sandi’s Learning Center

$150,000 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
Capital funding toward construction costs of a daycare center in the Rosemont neighborhood of West Baltimore. Within two years, the center will provide high-quality developmental and educational child-care and after-school services for 200 children, from birth to 12.

Sandtown Habitat for Humanity

$100,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward the renovation of 25 vacant rowhouses in Sandtown- Winchester. The initiative will provide affordable homes for a selected group of low-income Baltimore City families. Through sweat equity of 200 hours, donations, and volunteer help in the rehabilitation process, the cost of Habitat homes are kept affordable for those earning less than 35 percent of the area median income. New homeowners have access to health, educational, and job-training services of New Song Ministries in Sandtown-Winchester.

Second Chance Project, Inc.

$25,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For continued support of an initiative to help more than 337 ex-offenders obtain identification, including Social Security cards, Motor Vehicle Administration identification cards, and birth certificates at the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development’s Re-entry Center at Mondawmin Mall.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.