What We’re Learning

What We’re Learning

We believe that a community of creative problem-solvers, faced with complicated, seemingly intractable challenges, is well-served by thought-provoking, research-based information and analysis. We support the development and dissemination of research in two ways:

Abell Reports

Abell Reports are commissioned reports by subject matter experts, academics, and investigative journalists that provide studies of selected issues on the public agenda.

Abell-Supported Research

These projects – undertaken with grant funding by academics and nonprofit research and advocacy organizations – advance learning on issues key to Baltimore City.

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    Featured Reports

    Photo courtesy of the Goucher Prison Education Partnership.

    2024 Annual Report

    A reflection on the promising new approaches and new resources that have been brought to bear in the last decade.

    Abell Report: “Justice by Geography”: Improving Pretrial Electric Monitoring in Maryland

    Recent changes to state funding have reignited conversations among Maryland corrections leaders about expanding and strengthening electronic monitoring (EM) and pretrial services. This report summarizes key findings from the Justice Policy Institute’s research into EM as well as best practices.

    Abell Report: Evidence of Racial Bias in Home Appraisals in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area

    Racial bias in home appraising can harm individuals by making home purchases more expensive or refinancing unattainable, but when compounded on the community level, it can have profound impacts on minority communities’ ability to build wealth. Using newly available federal data, this report finds evidence of systemic appraisal bias that undervalues homes in predominantly Black communities in Baltimore City and the surrounding counties.

    Publications Library

    Getting Solar Siting Right in Maryland

    Maryland has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to increase its renewable energy capacity and protect vital agricultural land. How should the state and its counties proceed? What must we do to get solar siting right?

    2018 Annual Report

    Our 2018 Annual Report highlights programs focused on creative financing of local entrepreneurs, improvements to the City’s green infrastructure, and tenacious efforts to prevent homelessness, reform our broken parole system, and teach young, struggling readers.

    The Municipal Banking Movement: An Opportunity for Baltimore

    Public banks, owned by state or municipal governments and dedicated to public service, have a proven track record of promoting local economic development and financial inclusion in the U.S. and abroad.

    Preparing All Students for Economic and Career Success

    Education Strategy Group (ESG), with funding from the Abell Foundation, conducted an external assessment of career readiness priorities, practices, and programs in Baltimore City Schools.

    Reforming Child Support to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families

    Child support enforcement practices fuel a cycle of poverty and instability for low-income parents and families. This Abell Report examines the data and recommends strategies Maryland can adopt to reform its child support system.

    Header photo courtesy of Venture for America.