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

Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc.

$100,000 / 2003 / Community Development
Start-up costs of a new nonprofit organization to expand the Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative beyond a pilot. To attract new homebuyers and encourage existing homeowners to invest in Baltimore’s neighborhoods, Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc. offers renovation loans and marketing assistance. The program aims to increase homeownership, the market value of homes, and the attractiveness of participating Baltimore neighborhoods.

Herring Run Watershed Association

$5,000 / 2003 / Environment
For operating funds during a leadership transition, to ensure active stewardship in the watershed.

Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition, Inc.

$80,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
Two-year funding in support of Dee’s Place, a non-traditional substance abuse recovery center serving residents in East Baltimore. A 24-hour recovery program, Dee’s Place provides a safe and welcoming facility to recovering addicts at risk of succumbing to relapse because of the unavailability of services for them during off-hours. The coalition refers clients to health, housing and employment services.

Homeless Persons Representation Project, Inc.

$100,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of a program designed to promote legal representation for Baltimore City ex-offenders in helping them remove past convictions from their criminal records. The program educates ex-offenders about ramifications of their criminal records, sentencing procedures, probation and parole, and waiver of filing fees. The program also researches policies designed to reduce re-incarceration due to technical and parole violations.

Housing Authority of Baltimore City

$82,500 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For the implementation of the special mobility programs 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. It is designed to encourage rental assistance recipients to move out of inner-city neighborhoods into surrounding county neighborhoods that offer a better quality of life.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.