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

CASA of Maryland, Inc.

$180,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
Toward the establishment of the Baltimore Worker Employment Center for day laborers and other low-income workers. CASA, temporarily operating out of two trailers, will provide employment placement services and legal services, and counseling in financial matters.

Catholic Charities

$500,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
Toward final construction costs of the new Our Daily Bread Employment Center. The Center will house four programs: Our Daily Bread, which serves meals to an average of 750 homeless persons per day and breakfast on weekdays to more than 100 seniors and disabled persons; Christopher’s Place Employment Academy, a residential program the helps homeless men find and maintain full-time employment at a living wage and permanent housing; St. Jude’s Employment Center, which places poor, homeless, and disadvantaged persons back into the workforce; and The Samaritan Center, which provides traveler’s aid service and bus vouchers to homeless persons who want to leave Baltimore City to reunite with family, find employment, or access substance abuse treatment.

Cecil County Men’s Shelter

$5,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For general support of an emergency and transitional shelter for 15 homeless men in Cecil County. The shelter provides computer training, job skills, job search and placement services, a lunch program, shower and laundry facilities, access to the internet for email and research, as well as clothing, toiletries, furniture, and other household items.

Center for Promotion of Child Development Through Primary Care

$131,300 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of a pilot project testing the Child Health and Development Interactive System (CHADIS), a computerized interactive system created to diagnose and monitor psychosocial and developmental problems of at-risk three to 12-year-olds in Baltimore City. CHADIS is designed to improve delivery and access to treatment and resources for children with mental health disorders.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

$5,000 / 2005 / Environment
For the 2006 Environmental Legislative Summit. The agenda will include issues of restoration of full funding for Program Open Space, preservation of agricultural lands, and reduction of pollution from agricultural run-off and coal-fired power plants.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.