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

    College Opportunities and Success

    A BERC report on Baltimore City graduates through the class of 2014.

    Vacants to Value

    Baltimore’s bold blight-elimination effort is making modest progress despite limited renovation funds and questionable accounting.

    The Opacity Problem: An Examination of Baltimore City Infrastructure Contracts

    City infrastructure overruns and the challenge of transparency.

    Making the Grade: An Analysis of For-profit and Career Schools in Maryland

    The Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, with funding support from the Abell Foundation, explored the opportunities and costs of for-profit and career schools.

    Abell Salutes: Maryland New Directions

    For preparing Baltimore residents for port-related jobs.

    Header photo courtesy of Venture for America.