Grants Eligibility and Review Criteria

Eligibility

The Abell Foundation provides grant funding to organizations that:
  • Have 501c3 or 509a nonprofit tax status, or are a government agency or a fiscally sponsored project;
    • All applicants must submit a copy of their IRS determination letter, federal tax identification number (EIN), or proof of fiscal sponsorship
  • Operate programs or projects that fall into one of Abell’s program areas; and  
  • Focus on Baltimore City. 
The Foundation awards small grants (of $10,000 or less) and regular grants (of more than $10,000). We typically award the following types of grants: 
  • Seed funding for start-ups, pilots, and research initiatives aimed at finding innovative solutions 
  • Support for ongoing projects that provide much-needed services and/or show evidence of strong outcomes
  • Capital grants that support new construction, renovation, purchase of property, and/or capital equipment 
  • General operating support
  • Outreach and advocacy efforts to develop, promote, and advance policies that address systemic challenges and/or create new opportunities

 

The Abell Foundation can not provide grant funding to individuals or for-profit businesses. The Foundation also typically does not fund individual scholarships, fellowships, sponsorships, deficit financing, endowments, or travel.

Review Criteria

The Foundation considers the following criteria in its review of grant requests:  
  • Focus on addressing racial and economic inequities in Baltimore communities most affected by structural racism and disinvestment 
  • Demonstration of need and clearly defined goals and objectives 
  • Potential to take innovative approaches to persistent challenges 
  • Ability to demonstrate impact through measurable results 
  • Capacity to advance knowledge base in field 
  • Evidence of community involvement in program design and delivery 
  • Understanding of how the initiative fits into the broader landscape 
  • Demonstration of meaningful partnership and collaboration with other organizations 
  • Organizational capacity to achieve expected goals 
  • Evidence of strong financial stability and ability to leverage other sources of funding 

Interested in Applying?

Learn more about our small and regular grant processes.

Small Grants Process

For grant requests of $10,000 or less.

Reviewed on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply.

Regular Grants Process

For grant requests greater than $10,000.

Reviewed at one of the Foundation’s five annual Board meetings.

Have Questions?

Contact our grants team.

Contact Us

Header photo courtesy of Baltimore’s Promise / Grads2Careers.