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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

High Zero Foundation, Inc.

$5,000 / 2012 / Arts
Toward funding of the 2012 Festival of Experimental Improvised Music. Now in its 14th year, this world-class festival of avant-garde music, presented by High Zero Foundation, is a week-long program of large-scale concert sets, free workshops, street performances, private recording sessions, and special collaborations. The festival brings together 28 core musicians (half are from Baltimore) who offer a range of performing styles.

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.

EMP Collective, Inc.

$5,000 / 2012 / Arts
Toward the purchase of a projector, lighting equipment, and professional sound equipment for an emerging arts organization. EMP Collective, in collaboration with the Downtown Partnership, operates a renovated storefront as a rotating art gallery, and as a venue for theatrical and musical events, film screenings, lectures, and an experimental workshop. With higher-quality lighting, sound, and production equipment, EMP expects to attract other performing groups as tenants.

Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts

$25,000 / 2012 / Arts
Toward support of Free Fall, an initiative that allows 91 small and emerging arts and cultural organizations with budgets of $300,000 or less, to offer more than 300 free programs and events. A publicity program has increased the visibility of these organizations.

Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts

$5,000 / 2012 / Arts
In support of the 2012 Baltimore Book Festival. The 17th annual three-day free festival is a hallmark weekend and attracts more than 55,000 attendees. Some 200 local, regional, and national authors provide opportunities to participate in authors’ readings, panel discussions, book signings, literary workshops, children’s workshops, and the creation of original work. This year, an additional pavilion houses independent presses and publishers, and authors provide a weekend of lectures.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.