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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 reach out to an Abell staff member to discuss their idea or submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application.

Contact Us or Email Us 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 a saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant. Report forms can be found under the “Requirements” tab.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

I Say No 2

$37,500 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For the acquisition of a vacant property to serve as faith-based transitional housing for 16 addicted women and their children in the Westport/Cherry Hill neighborhoods. The program assists participants with job searches and addresses their health and legal issues, while encouraging them to attend counseling and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, adhere to household rules and perform community chores.

I Can

$5,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For funds to replace a furnace in an emergency shelter for homeless men and a convalescent care unit for medically fragile men referred by Health Care for the Homeless.

Housing Authority of Baltimore City

$82,500 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For the implementation of the special mobility programs established in accordance with the Thompson v. HUD partial consent decree. The program provides financial assistance and counseling to families served by the Section 8 Mobility Counseling Program. It is designed to encourage rental assistance recipients to move out of inner-city neighborhoods into surrounding county neighborhoods that offer a better quality of life.

Homeless Persons Representation Project, Inc.

$100,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of a program designed to promote legal representation for Baltimore City ex-offenders in helping them remove past convictions from their criminal records. The program educates ex-offenders about ramifications of their criminal records, sentencing procedures, probation and parole, and waiver of filing fees. The program also researches policies designed to reduce re-incarceration due to technical and parole violations.

Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition, Inc.

$80,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
Two-year funding in support of Dee’s Place, a non-traditional substance abuse recovery center serving residents in East Baltimore. A 24-hour recovery program, Dee’s Place provides a safe and welcoming facility to recovering addicts at risk of succumbing to relapse because of the unavailability of services for them during off-hours. The coalition refers clients to health, housing and employment services.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.