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 reach out to an Abell staff member to discuss their idea or submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application.

Contact Us or Email Us 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

Maryland Citizens for the Arts Foundation (MCA)

$5,000 / 2011 / Arts
Toward the promotion of the importance of the arts for the quality of life in the community. By expanding the base of support of grassroots advocates for the arts, MCA works to keep the arts on legislators’ agendas.

Lyric Opera Baltimore

$5,000 / 2011 / Arts
In support of the Opera to Go program, designed to bring operatic experiences into Baltimore City public schools. The students are exposed to the rudiments of opera, and are given the opportunity to perform.

High Zero Foundation, Inc.

$5,000 / 2011 / Arts
For continued support of an annual international festival of experimental music and culture. The program emphasizes improvisations and collaborations among the avant-garde, featuring musicians from the region and around the world, and includes free workshops, and street and site-specific performances.

Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts

$25,000 / 2011 / Arts
Toward support of Free Fall, an initiative designed to provide 30 low-budget arts and cultural organizations with the opportunity to offer free events. The initiative is intended to attract audiences from diverse communities and increase accessibility to the arts.

Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts

$5,000 / 2011 / Arts
In support of the 2011 Baltimore Book Festival, a three-day literary regional event. The 16th annual free festival, which attracts more than 200 local, regional, and national authors, offers to its more than 55,000 festival attendees the opportunity to participate in author readings, panel discussions, literary workshops, children’s activities, and the creation of original work.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.