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Grants

The Abell Foundation awards grants to nonprofit community partners working to improve the quality of life in Baltimore. We provide seed funding for innovative pilots, support for ongoing community programs and services, and funding for capital projects. In addition to providing grant funding, the Foundation supports our nonprofit partners through connection to our local and national networks, as well as our team’s deep experience in and knowledge of Baltimore as it relates to our program areas.

Learn More About Our Process

Eligibility and Review Criteria

For all nonprofit organizations seeking grant funding, regardless of the request amount. 

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.

Submit an Application

Considering Applying?

First-time applicants with grant requests greater than $10,000 should submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application. For guidance on what to include in your LOI, please reference our frequently asked questions.

Submit an LOI

Ready to Apply for a Small Grant?

For first-time or returning applicants with grant requests of $10,000 or less. We accept and review small grant applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply for a small grant.

Start a Small Grant Application

Ready to Apply for a Regular Grant?

For returning applicants and those who have a verified fit with the Foundation’s priorities for requests greater than $10,000. Regular grant applications are reviewed at one of five Board meetings each year.

Start a Regular Grant Application

Returning to a Saved Application or Submitting a Report?

Log into the grant portal below to return to a saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant. Report forms can be found under the “Requirements” tab.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc.

$85,000 / 2018 / Education

The Abell Foundation has supported the launch and growth of the Baltimore Kids Chess League in Baltimore City Public Schools since 2004. Part of the Abell portfolio of afterschool “academic” sports, The Chess League serves over 700 kindergarten through 12th grade students in 45 schools who practice weekly with teacher mentors and compete in local, state and national Chess Federation tournaments with increasing success. Baltimore is now on the map as a chess-development hub.

Association for the Public Defender

$8,000 / 2018 / Criminal Justice and Addiction

The Association for the Public Defender of Maryland was created to support the activities of the  Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD), an independent state agency that provides legal representation to indigent defendants throughout the state.  This grant provides matching funds for an AmeriCorps volunteer who will be placed at OPD in Baltimore City to develop a routinized process for public defenders to include expungement petitions into their process for closing a case.  The project year will focus on a pilot cohort of public defenders to develop, implement, and refine a process that can be replicated throughout Baltimore City and ultimately OPD offices statewide. 

The 6th Branch

$35,000 / 2018 / Community Development

The 6th Branch (T6B) utilizes the leadership and organizational skills of military veterans to execute aggressive community service initiatives in Baltimore City. It builds community by bringing together service-minded veterans and civilians to serve the community on the home front. This grant provided support for The 6th Branch’s Neighborscape Program, which transforms the vacant areas in Baltimore City communities into thriving community assets.

Baltimore City Foundation

$75,000 / 2018 / Workforce Development

In support of 500 YouthWorks summer jobs for Baltimore City residents.

Strong City Baltimore

$50,000 / 2018 / Workforce Development

In support of the Adult Learning Center’s Intensive GED Preparation Program.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.