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

Baltimore Mental Health Systems, Inc.

$218,000 / 2005 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Two-year support of the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Team (FACTT), offering mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and health care to ex-offenders. This program supports those with severe mental illness who are functionally impaired and at high risk of inpatient hospitalization. Maintaining a link with the criminal justice system, FACTT will provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The intent is to reduce the rates of recidivism, homelessness, and anti-social behavior.

Baltimore Opera Company

$70,000 / 2005 / Arts
Toward renovation costs of the Monument Street Opera Center to house educational outreach programs for the neighborhood. The additional space offers a community arts and music camp and an apprenticeship program designed to train carpenters, electricians, and sound, set, lighting, and stage technicians.

Baltimore Police Department

$200,000 / 2005 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward the cost of hiring nine retired police officers to monitor 82 closed circuit television cameras in three areas of the city: Greenmount Avenue, Monument Street, and Park Heights Avenue. The purpose of the “CitiWatch: Active Monitoring and Crime Prevention” initiative is to ensure the safety of Baltimore’s residents, workers, and visitors.

Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Inc.

$50,000 / 2005 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For support of the Threshold to Recovery program initiative, which seeks to demonstrate that threshold centers are a low-cost, high volume, and effective means of increasing access to treatment, retaining people in treatment, and sustaining recovery. Threshold centers are different from traditional drug treatment centers in that they are open for extended hours, accept walk-ins, and offer alternative healing therapies such as Tai Chi, acupuncture, and meditation.

Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Inc.

$20,000 / 2005 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For an evaluation of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). ASI is the substance abuse assessment tool currently mandated by the Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration for use by treatment providers receiving state funding, including those in Baltimore City. The study will help determine the effectiveness of the assessment.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.