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 Public Schools/ The Mount Washington School

$50,000 / 2012 / Education

For costs, both salary and benefits, of a coordinator in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme at The Mount Washington School. The IB coordinator ensures a smooth expansion of the program to the seventh grade, and serves 78 seventh-grade students and 90 sixth-grade students. The IB program emphasizes intellectual challenges and development of critical and reflective skills, and focuses on the integration and interrelationships of all content areas in a global context. The goal for The Mount Washington School is to achieve accreditation as an IB Middle Years Programme school by the start of school year 2013-2014.

Baltimore Community Toolbank

$5,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward improvements and signage for a new warehouse location in Baltimore City. The warehouse will lend equipment and tools to nonprofits working on improvement projects.

Baltimore Community ToolBank

$33,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward Tools for Change expenses related to outreach, fundraising, and staffing. The goal of the expansion effort is to enroll 200-member nonprofit agencies, equip 10,000 volunteers, and lend $180,000 worth of tools to charitable organizations.

Baltimore Curriculum Project, Inc.

$108,142 / 2012 / Education
For expenses related to the implementation of the City Springs Academic Technology Project, which provides iPads, Internet access, and instruction to 105 City Springs seventh- and eighth-grade students. The objective of the project is to demonstrate the effectiveness of technology in the teaching of reading, writing, math, and computer skills.

Baltimore Green Currency Association/Fusion Partnerships

$5,000 / 2012 / Community Development
For the development of the Baltimore BNote, a local currency designed to strengthen local businesses, create jobs, and provide economic opportunities for the underserved in Baltimore City. These efforts include the development of outreach materials to educate local business owners and consumers about the benefits of the BNote when it comes to buying and selling local products and services.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.