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

Housing Authority of Baltimore City

$108,800 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
Two grants providing security deposits and post-placement transportation assistance for the Special Mobility Housing Choice Voucher Program. This program is available to residents of public housing and applicants on the public housing/Section 8 waiting list; applicants must pass a criminal background check and be willing to move to a non-impacted area. Program counselors review participants’ credit histories and finances, encourage them to develop a savings plan, and help in the search for housing.

Housing Authority of Baltimore City

$92,625 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
Second-year funding of the Special Mobility Housing Choice Voucher Program 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, and is designed to encourage rental assistance recipients to move out of inner-city neighborhoods into surrounding neighborhoods in the region.

Greater Baltimore Tennis Patrons Association, Inc. .

$25,000 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
For the expansion of an after-school and summer tennis program for 300 at-risk children in the Barclay, Waverly, Coldstream, and Pen Lucy communities. The eight-week after-school program is being offered to 96 middle school students. It operates two hours a day, two days a week with one hour of instruction and play and one hour devoted to homework assistance and tutoring, and incorporates a mentoring curriculum. Coaches work with 24 underserved youth, selected on the basis of aptitude, effort, capability, and home support, at least three hours per week during the year.

Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc.

$180,000 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
Fourth-year funding for the SEETTS Program (Supporting Ex-Offenders in Employment, Training, and Transitional Services), a workforce development initiative for persons leaving Maryland prisons and returning to Baltimore City. The job readiness program provides 14 weeks of transitional services for up to 120 former inmates at a time and assists participants in securing gainful employment.

Glenwood Life Counseling Center

$75,000 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
Challenge grant to construct a 6,000 square-foot, two-story addition to the existing facility. The expansion will eliminate serious overcrowding which occurred when the program took on an additional 200 clients several years ago. Glenwood Life is currently providing drug treatment services to more than 600 clients.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.