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

Rose Street Community Center

$300,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
For continued support of rehabilitation services for ex-offenders, both adult residents recovering from substance abuse and youth residents at risk. The center provides transitional housing and case management to as many as 30 men per week, linking them to employment opportunities, providing stipends for living expenses, and opportunities for after-school and community activities.

Safe and Sound Campaign for Children and Youth

$250,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For the implementation of the Family Recovery Program, an initiative designed to reduce the length of time children spend in the Baltimore City foster care system. The program will provide case management support and substance abuse treatment for 250 parents whose children are entering foster care. It is expected that the time children of participating parents spend in foster care will be reduced by 50 to 70 percent.

Second Chance Project, Inc.

$50,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
To provide housing, employment, mental health services, and transportation to 300 ex-offenders released from Maryland State Correctional facilities. Second Chance will help ex-offenders obtain needed identification, including Social Security cards, Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) identification cards, and birth certificates. Second Chance will work with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Vital Records, the MVA, the Division of Corrections, and MOED to systematize the process by which ex-offenders obtain identification documents.

Seedco, Inc.

$75,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
For the development of a customized EarnBenefits Baltimore, a web-based initiative to help low-wage workers in Baltimore City determine what federal and state benefits they qualify for, and how to apply for them. EarnBenefits Online is designed to streamline eligibility screening, application submission, and tracking of submitted applications. Low-wage workers will be encouraged to apply for under-utilized benefits such as tax credits, health insurance, Food Stamps, Maryland Energy Assistance Program Tel-life, child care, and the school lunch programs.

Sisters Academy of Baltimore

$40,000 / 2005 / Education
Second-year support toward 2005-2006 operating costs of a facility to house the Sisters Academy, a parochial middle school in Southwest Baltimore for at-risk adolescent girls. The academy offers small classes and an extended day to help ensure that all of the 42 students advance at least one grade level in all areas of the academic curriculum.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.