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

Blue Water Baltimore

$100,000 / 2012 / Workforce Development
For continued support of a workforce development program in landscaping, horticulture, green roof and living wall installation and maintenance, and watershed restoration. Blue Water Baltimore will hire and train three technicians from under-represented neighborhoods. Once training is completed, the technicians will transition to permanent jobs or career paths.

BWI Community Development Foundation

$24,500 / 2012 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the weekend Sunrise Shuttle commuter transportation project, which serves up to 84 Baltimore City residents working in the suburbs.

Carnegie Institution for Science

$20,000 / 2012 / Education
Toward support of BioEYES, a science education classroom program serving up to 3,200 third, fifth, seventh, and 10th graders in Baltimore City Public Schools. The week-long, hands-on biology unit uses live zebra fish as subjects and enables students to observe life cycles of fish and embryos. Teachers are trained to provide the instruction in subsequent years.

CASA de Maryland, Inc.

$5,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward support of the 2012 National Immigrant Integration Conference in Baltimore.

CASA de Maryland, Inc.

$50,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward a statewide campaign designed to educate voters about the Maryland DREAM Act, in an effort to ensure higher-education access for all Maryland youth who meet the criteria. Outcomes include support for immigrants’ rights, alliances between African-American and immigrant communities, and an increase in the number of young people going to college.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.