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

Vehicles for Change, Inc.

$55,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
Eighth-year funding for the continuation of an initiative that provides reliable, reconditioned, and Maryland-inspected cars to low-income residents in Baltimore City. Partnering with community-based organizations, Vehicles for Change enables individuals to drive themselves and their families to essential destinations.

West/Rhode Riverkeeper, Inc.

$10,000 / 2006 / Environment
For start-up costs for monitoring activities to clean up the West/Rhode River watershed by increasing the number of volunteers and expanding outreach activities. The riverkeeper will meet with state and local leaders to develop cooperative efforts, file complaints with state and county commissioners, testify on pollution issues, commission a study on the effectiveness of the Critical Area Act, and review approved variances.

Advocates for Children and Youth

$65,000 / 2005 / Education
For the Education Initiative, designed to support increased student achievement in Maryland K-12 public schools, with an emphasis on Baltimore City. The efforts will help to ensure full funding of the Maryland’s Bridge to Excellence in Public Education Act, designed to make recommendations for school construction funding, provide analysis of Maryland’s State Assessment Program, and produce an independent evaluation of the impact of Thornton public education funds on at-risk students in Baltimore City.

Advocates for Children and Youth (ACY)

$66,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For expenses related to the expansion of Baltimore City’s Child Welfare Reform Program. ACY will conduct a “gap analysis” to identify and quantify the need for additional resources to reform the Baltimore City child welfare system, review progress, maintain pressure for reform, and advocate for overhaul of the child welfare data collection and responding system.

AIDS Interfaith Residential Services, Inc.

$27,500 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
To develop a Comprehensive Youth Services Model for homeless youth and young adults. This program will provide transitional housing, educational and employment training, health care, substance abuse treatment, financial education, and life and social skills counseling. The model is based on national state-of-the-art practices.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.