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

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.

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.

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.

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.

See Our Past Grants

Success for All Foundation, Inc.

$225,000 / 2021 / Education

The Success For All Foundation, based out of the Johns Hopkins School of Education is developing a new middle school tutoring initiative, entitled ThemeReads.  Summer of 2021 would be targeted for the research and development of the main program components of this middle school tutoring initiative.  The implementation phase of ThemeReads will be paired with a matched evaluation of the program, comparing gains from pre-test to post-test for students participating in the intervention.

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, Inc.

$75,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

Launched in 2014, St. Vincent de Paul’s Front Door program provides short-term rent subsidies coupled with housing search assistance, intensive case management, and employment support to homeless families and single adults in Baltimore.  The program serves 160 households per year and has had significant success supporting people to move from homelessness to stable housing.  Of those who exited the program in FY2020, 97% remained in permanent housing six months later, and none had re-entered the shelter system a year after exiting the program.  In addition, 69% of those who exited the program in 2020 were employed at the time of exit, and received support from navigators who assist clients to find and sustain employment.  St. Vincent de Paul tailors services to the needs of each household to ensure that clients achieve stability and are able to remain housed.  While the housing costs are covered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Abell funds are used to pay for furniture, moving expenses, and miscellaneous expenses related to removing employment barriers.

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, Inc.

$50,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

Established in 1977, St. Vincent de Paul’s Beans & Bread Center provides low-barrier, client-centered services for people experiencing chronic homelessness and other vulnerable individuals in Baltimore City. Beans & Bread serves two meals per day, six days a week, and offers case management, as well as connections to housing, health care, and employment services. In addition, Beans & Bread provides showers, laundry, and access to phones and mail services for people experiencing homelessness. This grant supports the Beans & Bread Center’s general operations.

Soccer Without Borders Baltimore

$50,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

Soccer Without Borders provides year-round soccer and academic support programs for refugee, asylum-seekers, and immigrant youth. This grant is for Soccer Without Borders capital campaign to purchase its own building in Highlandtown.  This building will serve as the headquarters for Soccer Without Borders National as well as its Baltimore chapter.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

$60,000 / 2021 / Community Development

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is the nation’s largest trails and active transportation organization, dedicated to connecting people and places by trail, many from former rail lines. RTC is leading community partners, anchor institutions, and Baltimore City government in the planning and implementation of the 35-mile Baltimore Greenway Trails Network loop, which was formally adopted by the Planning Commission as part of the City’s Green Network Plan in 2018. The Greenway encompasses Baltimore’s downtown area and, when finished, will link more than 75 neighborhoods. This grant will support staff costs and efforts to develop design standards and guidelines for the interconnected parks and trails of the Baltimore Greenway, implement a trail count program, and implement an equitable development planning process now to ensure residents’ needs remain a priority.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.