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 your saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

A New Faith Community

$25,300 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward costs related to the installation of a peace garden at the Clay Pots Tutoring Center, an adult literacy and GED program in West Baltimore. By removing a building in disrepair and replacing it with an outdoor garden, the center will offer green space and an outdoor meeting place.

MarylandReporter.com

$35,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward support of an investigation and a series of articles on Maryland’s pension system. It is expected that the series of articles will engage policymakers and other government officials in discussions of the problems that have led to Maryland’s pension crisis.

The Lieber Institute for Brain Development

$5,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward three summer internships in the Basic Sciences and Clinical Sciences divisions to serve Baltimore City minority students, and to provide lab, safety, and educational materials.

The Lieber Institute for Brain Development

$150,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward recruitment and staffing costs of 30 new behavioral biologists, geneticists, psychiatrists, neurologists, and neuroscientists to be employed by the Lieber Institute at the Johns Hopkins Science and Technology Park.

Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health

$149,753 / 2012 / Community Development
For support of the Healthy Stores Initiative, “Improving the Baltimore City Food Environment Through Structural Incentives to Small Food Sources.” The initiative involves contacting 75 carry-out and corner stores who will be asked to provide a greater range of affordable healthy foods through the use of marketing strategies that include quality signage, fresh-produce display units, upgraded refrigeration units and lighting, and updated shelving. Data will be collected to determine results.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.