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 reach out to an Abell staff member to discuss their idea or submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application.

Contact Us or Email Us 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 a saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant. Report forms can be found under the “Requirements” tab.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

Blue Water Baltimore, Inc.

$50,000 / 2022 / Environment

In support of clean water and watershed protection, targeted policy work to elevate community concerns, legislative advocacy, and litigation to hold polluters accountable under the Clean Water Act. This grant provides staff support to address top pollutants plaguing Baltimore City and its waterways: stormwater runoff and sewage overflows.

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Center for Urban Families, Inc.

$300,000 / 2022 / Workforce Development

In support of the Center for Urban Families’ economic success programming, which helps over 200 Baltimore residents to find and maintain employment.

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Civil Justice, Inc.

$80,000 / 2022 / Community Development

In support of the Tenant Debt Collection Defense Project, which provides legal representation to low- and moderate-income tenant households facing unlawful eviction. The Civil Justice network of solo, small, and community-based lawyers is expected to serve 50 households and prevent and reduce amounts of judgments against tenants by $100,000.

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Equal Justice Works

$150,000 / 2022 / Community Development

In support of the Equal Justice Works Housing Justice Program, which provides legal training and placement in civil justice organizations to prevent evictions and increase housing stability. The loss of a home through eviction destabilizes families, creating homelessness, disrupting children’s education, and causing or exacerbating chronic health issues.

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Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering

$150,000 / 2022 / Community Development

In support of the Baltimore Healthcare Innovator Retention fellowships to retain talented Johns Hopkins University biomedical engineering graduates to continue work on promising innovations that address critical healthcare challenges. The goals are to accelerate commercially marketable product development, attract investment, create companies, and generate local employment.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.