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

The Center for Fathers, Families and Workforce Development

$400,000 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
Sixth-year funding of STRIVE Baltimore, a comprehensive job training and placement service for unemployed and underemployed men and women. The three-week program prepares participants for the workforce through workshops that focus on attitude modification and job readiness. Core services include job placement with long-term follow-up, one-on-one and group counseling, and case management.

The Enterprise Foundation

$75,000 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
For the expansion of the Re-entry Partnership (REP) Initiative, a program designed to help prepare inmates for transition from prison back into their communities. The program incorporates pre-release and post-release components. As part of the case management re-entry plan, ex-offenders participate in vocational and educational programs prior to being transferred to the Metropolitan Transition Center. Support services include transportation of the ex-offender, so that upon release the individual is linked directly with community resources.

The Family League of Baltimore City, Inc.

$58,586 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
In support of Baltimore’s Success by 6 Partnership, created to provide early literacy activities in family child care and home visiting programs. The programs offer parents and day care providers with tools to build children’s language skills.

The Ingenuity Project

$500,000 / 2004 / Education
In support of the 2004-2005 Ingenuity Project, an intensive math and science curriculum for more than 475 Baltimore City public elementary, middle, and high school students. Its purpose is to identify and develop nationally competitive math, science, and engineering students.

The Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies

$50,000 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
Second-year funding for the completion of the “State of Baltimore’s Workforce System” report, which provides a detailed description of Baltimore’s local workforce development system, focusing on the city’s network of one-stop career centers. The report includes a description of who are served by the career centers, the wages of job seekers before and after service, a listing of employers who hire career center job seekers, and an analysis of how well the career center network meets U.S. Department of Labor measures. The report is intended to provide an annual assessment of Baltimore’s workforce system, and will be used as a tool to improve the city’s services to job seekers and employers.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.