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?

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 for a Small Grant?

For first-time or returning applicants with grant requests of $10,000 or less. We accept and review small grant applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply for a small grant.

Start a Small Grant Application

Ready to Apply for a Regular Grant?

For returning applicants and those who have a verified fit with the Foundation’s priorities for requests greater than $10,000. Regular grant applications are reviewed at one of five Board meetings each year.

Start a Regular 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

Health Care for the Homeless

$52,781 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
Toward the six-month due diligence phase of a capital relocation of Health Care for the Homeless that includes the obtaining of zoning approval, hiring of a project manager, architectural fees for preliminary drawings, costs of technical engineering support, and an environmental assessment.

Health Care for the Homeless

$5,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
To provide funding for emergency sheltering of the homeless and medically vulnerable who appear on the doorstep of Health Care for the Homeless.

Harbor City Services, Inc.

$25,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
Toward the development of a remanufacturing business to provide employment for Baltimore City residents with psychiatric disabilities. The business focuses on the production of rebuilt shopping carts.

Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc.

$150,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For startup costs of Project Bridge, a transitional employment project for ex-offenders returning to Baltimore City. After completing five weeks of training prior to release from prison, participants are referred to work crews for three months before being placed into employment Project Bridge is a partnership among Goodwill Industries, Catholic Charities, Second Chance and STRIVE.

Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc.

$132,233 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
Third-year funding of 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 program, providing 14 weeks of transitional services for up to 120 inmates at a time, assists participants in securing gainful employment through job readiness.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.