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

Maryland Regional Practitioners’ Network

$5,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
Planning grant for the development of Boys to Men, a pregnancy prevention program for eighth-grade boys in Baltimore City public schools.

Maryland Salem Children’s Trust

$50,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
Toward construction costs of a centralized school building for special education programs for up to 37 at-risk children, primarily residents at Salem, a residential foster care facility for children ages six to 18 who have been abused and unable to attend regular school.

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service

$50,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Baltimore CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Campaign. The initiative, a free income tax preparation service, is designed to increase the use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a work incentive and poverty-alleviation tool. Its goal is to increase the number of tax returns prepared for low-income taxpayers eligible to receive the EITC tax refunds. The campaign will focus on asset development strategies, including targeting refunds toward individual development accounts, savings for homeownership, and tuition.

Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED)

$477,259 / 2005 / Workforce Development
For support of the Ex-Offender Re-Entry Center in the Northwest Career Center. The Center, located at Mondawmin Mall in the Park Heights section of Baltimore City, will offer transitional support and employment-related services to ex-offenders in an effort to reduce recidivism. The Center will ensure that those served have identification documents, receive job procurement services and case management, and referrals to housing, substance abuse, health care, and legal services.

Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Coalition/ International Center for Sustainable Development

$30,000 / 2005 / Community Development
To promote hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Center will develop a website, quarterly newsletter, plan for a regional hydrogen energy conference in 2006, and create a database of regional information.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.