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 for a Small Grant?

If you have never received an Abell small grant (requests of $10,000 or less), you must attend an information session to confirm fit with eligibility criteria and funding priorities prior to submitting a small grant application. 

Sign up for an info session

Considering Applying for a Regular Grant?

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?

If you are a returning applicant or have met our eligibility criteria and requirements and are ready to apply for a grant, you may do so on the apply page.

Start a Grant Application

Returning to a Saved Application or Submitting a Report?

Log into the grant portal below to return to your saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

$50,000 / 2004 / Community Development
In support of staffing for the Partnership’s Facade Improvement Grant Program. Coordinating with Baltimore City, the Downtown Partnership provides matching funds to facilitate the improvement of facades in the downtown area. Enhancing the look of the buildings is expected to attract private investment, increase pedestrian traffic, and improve the business climate.

Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

$150,200 / 2021 / Workforce Development

The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) and the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) are collaborating on a transitional employment initiative, where over the course of a year, MOED will hire 60 unemployed local residents and connect them to DPOB for three-month employment placements in DPOB’s Downtown COVID Cleaning Corps. Funding from the Abell Foundation will ensure that the COVID Cleaning Corps has the equipment needed to clean streets, alleyways, and other public places as businesses return to their downtown offices.  Abell funds will be used to purchase sensors that the Cleaning Corps members will install on trashcans throughout downtown Baltimore.  The sensors are designed to improve trash collection.

Learn More

Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.

$50,000 / 2002 / Community Development
For staffing support of the Code Enforcement/Facade Improvement Grant Program. By offering matching grants to property owners for investing in their building facades, the Partnership intends to encourage private investment in downtown properties and businesses, and to improve the physical appearance and market appeal of Baltimore City’s downtown. The program targets buildings that are in violation of zoning and building codes.

Downtown Partnership of Baltimore/ Baltimore Art Exposure

$5,000 / 2008 / Arts
For continued support of Baltimore Art Exposure’s installation of art work used to enhance empty storefront windows along Charles Street.

Drexel University – Nowak Metro Finance Lab

$50,000 / 2023 / Community Development

In support of staff and operating expenses for an assessment of the procurement economy in Maryland and Baltimore that will strengthen procurement systems and lead to supplier development strategies that boost public contracting with local firms and small, minority- and women-owned businesses.

Learn More

Header photo courtesy of Thread.