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 Men’s Center, Inc.

$5,000 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
For general support of comprehensive services to inner-city fathers in need of job readiness training, parenting and life skills training, GED classes and individual counseling.

Maryland Society for Sight

$17,772 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
Toward support of the Mobile Eye Care programs for local homeless people. The program uses a specially equipped van to provide eye exams to those who cannot afford the services.

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene/Division of Special Populations

$99,000 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
Two-year funding for support of Tamar’s Children, a program designed to meet special needs of incarcerated women and their infants. In partnership with Marian House, Tamar’s Children is offering integrated services based on case management and peer mentoring to ensure a secure mother-infant attachment while reducing the likelihood of future social, emotional, developmental and medical problems.

Maryland Criminal Justice Administration Institute

$160,000 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
In support of an extension of a licensing agreement for the use of the Judicial Dialog, a criminal case flow informational technology program. The goal of the project is to determine the effectiveness of the Judicial Dialog as a case flow and management tool in processing and analyzing data from the Circuit Court and Early Disposition Court.

Maryland Community Kitchen

$97,367 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
Second-year funding in support of the Job Placement Transportation Service Program designed to provide interim transportation for people seeking interviews and participating in job training programs. The transportation service is also available to those working at new job sites through one pay period, before they have found other commuting options such as Bridges to Work.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.