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

Asylee Women Enterprise

$130,474 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

Asylee Women Enterprise (AWE) provides asylum seekers, particularly women and children with comprehensive services and community.  This two-year grant supports AWE’s partnership with Luminus, which is a legal services organization that has been accredited by the Department of Justice, to provide comprehensive legal services to 40 AWE clients that reside in Baltimore City per year over two years.

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The York Road Partnership, Fiscally Sponsored by GEDCO

$15,000 / 2021 / Community Development

For many years, the York Road Partnership (YRP) has worked along and across York Road to develop a long-term vision to improve the commercial corridor, reverse the long-term trend of disinvestment, and support adjacent neighborhoods. The corridor is currently characterized by high commercial vacancy and a lack of community-focused retail. Support for an “Invest York Road” initiative will create a crowdfunding tool to raise local, community capital for acquisition, renovation, ownership and leasing of vacant and under-utilized commercial buildings along York Road in Greater Govans.

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Venture For America

$185,000 / 2021 / Community Development

Venture for America (VFA) strengthens entrepreneurship, business formation, and economic growth by attracting top talent college graduates to work in start-up and early-stage companies. Since 2013, VFA has matched 148 Fellows with full-time employment in nearly 60 high-growth companies and startups in Baltimore. Additionally they have supported the launch of 16 Fellow-founded companies in Baltimore. Of the 209 Fellows selected nationally for company matches in 14 cities in 2021, 57% identify as people of color, 52% are female or gender nonconforming, and 24% are first generation college students. VFA expects 21 Fellows to begin two-year fellowships in start-up companies in Baltimore in fall 2021.

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University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation

$60,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

Since 2009, Promise Heights has anchored one of B’more for Healthy Babies’ (BHB) place-based initiatives to improve birth outcomes and family well-being in West Baltimore. Promise Heights has long supported parents after the birth of their children, including providing breastfeeding support, family planning, research-based parenting classes and early literacy opportunities.

This grant supports the Teen Parenting Success Program (TiPS), which bring this continuum of services to pregnant and parenting teens at Renaissance Academy and Frederick Douglass High School. The two Community Hub Leaders in this program will ensure all pregnant and parenting teens are connected to Health Care Access Maryland as well as provide individual case management to set and achieve individual goals for health and wellness, education/vocation, as well as family planning. The Community Hub Leaders  will also hold group programming in the high schools to build social support among young parents and their families.

Towson University

$46,132 / 2021 / Education

The University Supported Middle School Tutoring Pilot is a project connecting Towson University and Morgan State University students with middle school students at AFYA public charter school in a tutoring relationship designed to boost literacy skills. The program will enable 20-30 college students to serve as university tutors that will be matched with two middle school students each for whom to providing literacy tutoring throughout the year.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.