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

Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies

$8,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Two grants for the 2012 and 2013 Abell Awards in Urban Policy, presented annually to an undergraduate student who writes the most compelling paper on a pressing problem facing Baltimore City and crafts a recommendation for addressing the issue.

International Documentary Association

$5,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward production costs of “American Village,” a documentary on the history of racial change in West Baltimore.

Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies (ICJS)

$5,000 / 2012 / Community Development
For support of educational events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ICJS, an inter-faith coalition seeking to learn more about each faith’s history and traditions.

Innovation Housing Institute

$40,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward an initiative that supports housing linked to good schools with access to employment, and offers affordable public transportation. By developing a Regional Housing Plan, the initiative intends to address barriers to residential mobility, and expand affordable housing opportunities within the region.

Humanim, Inc.

$8,150 / 2012 / Community Development
To build and test prototype equipment for algae production to be used in a fish farming operation. The objective is to test whether effluent (nutrient-rich discharge water from sewer systems) can be converted into a productive food source for farm-raised fish through small-scale algae production.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.