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 Stars Coalition/AAU

$40,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Baltimore Stars Basketball Program for inner-city boys ages 8 to 17. Staffed by volunteers, the program provides opportunities for the boys to compete in AAU state and national basketball tournaments. The program teaches basketball skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship; provides mentoring, tutoring, and SAT preparation; and encourages achievement and positive behavior.

Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Inc. (BSAS)

$5,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For support of a pilot study, “Earned Income as an Outcome Substance Abuse Treatment: Is It Possible to Link These Two Data Sets?”

Baltimore Talent Education Center

$25,000 / 2012 / Education
For continued support and expansion of a string music instructional program that serves 400 Baltimore City pre-K to high school students in eight school sites. The program teaches music theory and offers instruction in violin, piano, and guitar.

Baltimore Terrapin Youth Football/Park Heights Renaissance

$5,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Seed funding for the establishment of an Unlimited Weight Youth Football Program for youth in the Park Heights community.

Baltimore Tree Trust

$5,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward support of greening initiatives at McElderry Park in Southeast Baltimore. In an effort to revitalize the city’s urban tree canopy, two local youth are trained as green stewards. They learn to weed, aerate, and mulch, and are responsible for watering the newly planted trees. The stewards continue to work with homeowners and businesses regarding the placement of new trees.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.