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

1000 Friends of Maryland

$200,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Funding to advance comprehensive land use and transportation policy reform at state and local levels. 1000 Friends focuses on a public agenda that encourages the redevelopment of existing communities and preservation of Maryland’s open space, agricultural land, and forests, through several strategies that include restricting the development of new septic systems, holding Maryland accountable to meet pollution-reduction goals, reforming estate tax for farming families, and investing in local transportation systems.

1000 Friends of Maryland

$35,000 / 2012 / Environment
Two-year funding for the continued support of staffing and expenses related to the Partners for Open Space campaign. The campaign advocates holding intact funding dedicated to the state real estate transfer tax fund earmarked for conservation projects.

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.

A Step Forward, Inc.

$33,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For code-compliant improvements of a community kitchen to enhance a faith-based transitional housing facility in West Baltimore for eight men in treatment for substance abuse.

ACLU Foundation of Maryland, Inc.

$75,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For support of an initiative to promote reforms for children and families in the Baltimore and Maryland criminal justice systems. The ACLU continues to work on the monitoring of arrests and to advocate for changes designed to reduce incarceration rates for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.