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

Baltimore City Health Department

$60,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, a multi-agency collaboration and partnership that aims to improve reproductive health services available to young people, reduce teen births, and improve family-planning services.

Baltimore City Health Department

$80,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
For support of the Adolescent & Reproductive Health LARCs (longﾭacting reversible contraception) Project, in an effort to reduce unintended pregnancies among women and teens who are uninsured and ineligible for insurance.

Baltimore City Public Schools – National Academic League

$182,028 / 2012 / Education
For support of the 2012-2013 National Academic League (NAL), which involves 700 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students from 28 Baltimore City public middle schools in a year-long scholastic extracurricular activity. The NAL games function as competitive events, with after-school team practices two to three times a week under the guidance of teachers. Interscholastic competitions are held every two weeks. First- and second-placed teams compete nationally through video-conferencing. It is intended that participation will increase potential for acceptance into a Baltimore City selective-admission high school.

Baltimore City Public Schools – SummerREADS

$101,670 / 2012 / Education
For support of the second year of the 2012 SummerREADs book distribution program and summer reading for 2,000 second-, third-, and fourth-grade students attending high-poverty, low-performing public schools in Baltimore City. The program is designed to prevent literacy loss over the summer months. With support of teachers and family members, participating students are given 12 self-selected books at their reading level to encourage voluntary summer reading. An evaluation by Johns Hopkins University will compare 2011 and 2013 proficiency MSA reading scores among the participants.

Baltimore City Public Schools / Baltimore City College High School

$109,698 / 2012 / Education
For capital expenses to replace window screens and carpeting in the band and choir rooms, repair locker rooms, and install fencing around the football field/track.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.