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

Libraries Without Borders

$50,000 / 2021 / Education

Libraries Without Borders has partnered with Stillmeadow Community Fellowship Church and three local Baltimore City Schools to develop a permanent learning space that builds on the church’s existing role as a community anchor institution. This learning space provides after school and enrichment opportunities, summer programming, and other community services like food distribution and access to digital resources.  The Stillmeadow Learning Center will also provide adult learning opportunities through a multitude of community partnerships.

Innovation Works, Inc.

$50,000 / 2021 / Community Development

Innovation Works is the urban domestic strategic partner of the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University, a leading global accelerator for enterprises. The organization addresses social entrepreneurs’ needs through a five phase pipeline strategy. It recruits and encourages members of disinvested communities to build and own successful social enterprises. These entities will create sustainable neighborhood economies and reduce Baltimore’s neighborhood and racial wealth divide. Innovation Works will expand and support its mentor network, a highly committed and mission-oriented group of Baltimore-based executives and Founders who provide weekly mentoring and pro-bono support. This grant will support staff costs associated with support of entrepreneurs along each stage of the IW pipeline.

Initiative for a Competitive Inner City Inc.

$30,000 / 2021 / Community Development

ICIC will offer its entrepreneurship “Mini MBA” training program, Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC, ) to Baltimore businesses. The business technical assistance program started in 2005 to help urban entrepreneurs better position themselves to access capital, increase revenues, grow their businesses and create jobs. The program specifically targets companies located in low to moderate income areas, companies owned by people of color and by women, and businesses that draw 40 percent of their employment from low to moderate income communities.

Humanim, Inc.

$170,000 / 2021 / Workforce Development

Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) are the front line staff who work closely with individuals diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability. To respond to the critical need for trained workers, Humanim, with support from the Abell Foundaiton, will recruit and train 130 DSPs to meet and exceed all DSP required state trainings/certifications. Abell funding will also support Humanim and Obran, a worker cooperative conglomerate corporation, to help 30 DSPs to launch a worker-owned alternative staffing company. Obran will recruit the employee-owners, and work with them to establish and organization structure. The employee-owners of the newly formed worker cooperative will deliver quality services to employer partners and share in the company’s prosperity.

Helping Up Mission, Inc.

$200,000 / 2021 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

Abell funding will support the Helping Up Mission (HUM) in its development of a Women’s and Children’s Center at 1216 E. Baltimore Street in Baltimore City. The Women’s Center will provide a gender-informed, residential, faith-based, 12-step substance abuse recovery program set within the context of a therapeutic supportive community. Clients will be provided with clinical professional mental health care and substance abuse counseling, professional pastoral care, and a large array of physical, psychological, social, emotional, and practical supportive services so that they can focus on their recovery and achieve lasting success.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.