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

Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

$150,200 / 2021 / Workforce Development

The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) and the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) are collaborating on a transitional employment initiative, where over the course of a year, MOED will hire 60 unemployed local residents and connect them to DPOB for three-month employment placements in DPOB’s Downtown COVID Cleaning Corps. Funding from the Abell Foundation will ensure that the COVID Cleaning Corps has the equipment needed to clean streets, alleyways, and other public places as businesses return to their downtown offices.  Abell funds will be used to purchase sensors that the Cleaning Corps members will install on trashcans throughout downtown Baltimore.  The sensors are designed to improve trash collection.

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Chesapeake Legal Alliance

$35,000 / 2021 / Environment

The Baltimore region, with its long history of polluting industrial practices, segregation, and racism, has a legacy not only of serious water pollution, but of disparate impact on proximate fenceline communities, neighborhoods which are primarily comprised of Black residents, people of color and residents with low incomes. Chesapeake Legal Alliance (CLA) will provide free legal services and train private attorneys to engage with community members on pro-bono environmental cases to reduce industrial discharge pollution through enforcement of permits in compliance with the Clean Water Act.

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Baltimore Furniture Bank, Fiscally Sponsored by Fusion Partnerships, Inc.

$30,000 / 2021 / Health and Human Services

The Baltimore Furniture Bank (BFB) was founded in 2017 by two men with lived experiences of homelessness to provide donated furniture to homeless individuals who are moving into apartments. The BFB solicits donations of used furniture from institutions with surplus furniture and from individuals; sorts, cleans and stores the furniture in a warehouse; and distributes it at events and through partnerships with nonprofit housing providers. This grant supports the Baltimore Furniture Bank’s general operating costs. BFB is fiscally sponsored by Fusion Partnerships, Inc.

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The Be.Org, Fiscally Sponsored by Bmore Empowered, Inc.

$25,000 / 2021 / Education

The Be.Org’s, Be.Virtual STEM based instruction and mentorship program is offered as an after school and summer experience for thirty students annually. By the end of the program, participating students will develop skills in C+ coding and will create a virtual reality curriculum module, using Unity software. This experience provides a pathway for students to receive their entry level Unity industry-recognized certification after 10 months of participation.

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Baltimore Community ToolBank

$17,500 / 2021 / Community Development

Baltimore Community ToolBank lends tools and equipment to community based member organizations for a nominal fee. Items are typically used for community clean-ups, beautification, festivals, and other projects.  Due to COVID social distancing guidelines, large scale volunteer deployment projects have been postponed or limited in size. Fees generated from tool rental orders have decreased significantly, thus decreasing the ToolBank’s revenue. During the COVID-19 crisis, tools and equipment for use in support of emergency response activities and support are being provided at no charge for the duration of the crisis. This grant will support core program staffing and the purchase of tools in response to member demand.

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Header photo courtesy of Thread.