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

Enoch Pratt Free Library

$34,000 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
For an evaluation of the Technology Center to determine the effectiveness of current programming designed to help clients seek better paying jobs and increased personal growth. The study also addresses staffing and physical plant needs.

Enoch Pratt Free Library

$5,000 / 2012 / Arts
Toward support of “Pratt Presents…A Night of Mystery with Elizabeth George.” This fund-raiser features the author of the Inspector Lynley mysteries, as seen on PBS, and benefits Pratt’s child and teen literacy efforts.

Enoch Pratt Free Library

$175,000 / 2014 / Community Development

Toward renovation costs of the Job and Career Center at the Pratt Central Library.

Environment America Research & Policy Center

$26,000 / 2021 / Environment

Maryland needs to quickly ramp up its solar siting and production to meet statewide goals. As suggested in the Abell Report “Getting Solar Siting Right in Maryland,” rooftops and parking lots of big box stores are ideal for solar energy installations as they build on already-developed infrastructure and do not disturb undeveloped, productive agricultural or forested land. Grant funds will enable Environment America to conduct research on the viability of rooftop solar on big-box retail stores in Maryland and other states and launch an advocacy campaign to encourage corporate investment in solar installations in Baltimore and Maryland.

Learn More

Environment Law Institute

$10,000 / 2005 / Environment
In support of “Putting Tax Policies in the Service of Chesapeake Bay Pollution Prevention.” The goal is to develop tax incentives that support Maryland agriculture, while providing measures to help prevent water pollution caused by agricultural practices.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.