Abell Foundation

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OVERVIEW: The Abell Foundation supports a broad range of causes that affect quality of life in Maryland with a strong focus on the Baltimore area.

IP TAKE: This Maryland funder awards small grants of under $10,000 on an ongoing basis and meets five times a year to review applications for grants of $10,000 and up. With several areas of overlapping interest, this is an accessible and transparent private foundation and a good source of funding for small- to medium-sized organizations in Maryland.

PROFILE: Established in 1953, the Abell Foundation is a private foundation based in Baltimore, Maryland. This is the foundation of the late Harry C. Black, the publisher of The Baltimore Sun, former chairman of the board of the A.S. Abell Company and a philanthropist. The Abell Foundation is the largest private funder that only serves Maryland, working to "enhance the quality of life” throughout the state. It funds local efforts for education, workforce development, health and human services, community development, criminal justice and addiction, environment and the arts.

  • The Abell Foundation’s education funding is committed to the PreK-12 public education system in Baltimore and its partners, including providers of after-school and summer programs and programs for leadership development strategies.

  • Workforce development grants support work initiatives and resources needed by job seekers, such as literacy services, substance abuse treatment and transportation.

  • Health and human services grants address access to health care, domestic violence, children’s health, hunger and homelessness.

  • Community development grants support energy efficiency, fresh food access, and neighborhood green space.

  • Criminal justice and addiction grants address the high crime rates and substance abuse problems in Baltimore.

  • Environment grants support air and water quality, climate change efforts, and renewable energy.

  • Finally, grants for the arts focus on programs for underserved communities.

This funder gave away about $14.5 million in a recent year. Grants range between about $5,000 and $350,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving in its grants database or a recent annual report. Grantmaking focuses on the state of Maryland and most prominently the city of Baltimore. Past local grantees include the 29th St. Community Center, the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership, the Baltimore Kids Chess League and the CASH Campaign of Maryland.

This foundation meets five times a year to review grant applications, with due dates falling in January, March, May, July and October. The foundation organizes its grantmaking into small grants of under $10,000 and regular grants of amounts over $10,o00 and posts separate guidelines and procedures for each grant program. Direct general questions to the staff at 410-547-1300 or via online form.

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