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

    Abell Salutes: Vehicles for Change Inc.

    The family car as a vehicle for improving family life.

    Needed: A Sane Approach to the Enforcement of Marijuana Laws

    Current enforcement generates 13,000 arrests annually and lands 3,000 in pre-trial detention and 7,000 in drug treatment programs – with no clear benefit to the communities or individuals involved.

    Assessing the Crack-down on Marijuana in Maryland

    There has long been a body of opinion that criminal sanctions are unnecessarily harsh for minor marijuana offenses.

    2000 Annual Report

    This annual report provides an overview of the initiatives and themes that emerged in 2000, and spotlights the inspiring people and programs that led this important work in Baltimore.

    Abell Salutes: Children’s Literacy Initiative

    For helping poor children become successful students.

    Header photo courtesy of Venture for America.