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

Vehicles for Change, Inc.

$200,000 / 2021 / Workforce Development

In support of providing 50 returning citizens with paid work experience, repairing cars for Vehicle for Change’s Full Circle Service Center. Program graduates are placed into jobs as certified automotive mechanics, earning at least $17 per hour.

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Emerging Technology Center

$270,000 / 2021 / Community Development

In 2022, the Emerging Technology Center will select up to five companies to participate in the tenth cohort of Accelerate Baltimore. The technology and innovation incubation program includes 13 weeks of hands-on instruction and workshops, access to mentors, and connections to potential partners and investors, helping entrepreneurs overcome technical issues, navigate changing markets, and address financial challenges to boost commercialization of new products and services. The grant supports administrative costs and initial seed funding of $50,000 to each team judged to have the greatest potential for growth.

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Waterkeepers Chesapeake

$32,500 / 2021 / Community Development

Guided by the view that judicial remedies due to environmental harms should be the same for everyone, regardless of income, race, or ethnicity, Waterkeepers Chesapeake, in partnership with Chesapeake Legal Alliance and Center for Progressive Reform, plans to research, draft and release a joint report on the legal hurdles to communities and individuals attempting to sue on pollution matters in Maryland. The report will document the challenges in meeting the standing requirements for suits on environmental matters in Maryland state courts despite broad rights intended by federal environmental legislation. The report will provide a series of policy recommendations that the three organizations will elevate with media coverage, outreach to community groups, and education of elected officials in the Maryland General Assembly.

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UMBC Foundation

$75,000 / 2021 / Education

The UMBC Reach Together Program (RTP) provides high-dosage tutoring for 350 students across four schools in south Baltimore (Arundel, Cherry Hill, Lakeland, and Westport) during the 2021-2022 school year.  Alongside the intensive tutoring at these four schools, the UMBC math project will provide teacher level coaching to an additional six schools.

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STEM Champions of Baltimore Inc.

$30,000 / 2021 / Education

Over the past seven years, STEM Champions of Maryland has developed as a staging ground to prepare 375 students in 30 middle and high schools throughout the city for competition in numerous STEM based events as a part of the National Science Olympiad competition, the largest broad-based STEM competition in Baltimore.  STEM Champions of Maryland trains teacher coaches to provide robust curricula and materials for each of the 18 Science Olympiad activities.  STEM Champions also brings over 200 STEM professionals and volunteers together to work with teachers in afterschool practices and to facilitate the annual Citywide Science Olympiad competition.

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Header photo courtesy of Thread.