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

Advocates for Children and Youth

$60,000 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Baltimore City Child Welfare Reform Program. Advocates will monitor the Department of Human Resources’ efforts to reduce caseloads for child welfare workers and to develop a database to track child-welfare outcomes mandated by the Child Welfare Accountability Act. The program will also encourage aggressive foster-family recruitment and increased foster care reimbursement rates.

Sandi’s Learning Center

$150,000 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
Capital funding toward construction costs of a daycare center in the Rosemont neighborhood of West Baltimore. Within two years, the center will provide high-quality developmental and educational child-care and after-school services for 200 children, from birth to 12.

The Hiding Place

$5,000 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
Toward the purchase of furnishings for a transitional facility to house young women and their children. During their nine-month stay, clients will receive meals, transportation, medical and mental health care, and training in parenting and life skills.

Center for Promotion of Child Development Through Primary Care

$131,300 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of a pilot project testing the Child Health and Development Interactive System (CHADIS), a computerized interactive system created to diagnose and monitor psychosocial and developmental problems of at-risk three to 12-year-olds in Baltimore City. CHADIS is designed to improve delivery and access to treatment and resources for children with mental health disorders.

Maryland Salem Children’s Trust

$50,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
Toward construction costs of a centralized school building for special education programs for up to 37 at-risk children, primarily residents at Salem, a residential foster care facility for children ages six to 18 who have been abused and unable to attend regular school.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.