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

Submit an Application

Considering Applying?

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.

Ready to Apply for a Small Grant?

For first-time or returning applicants with grant requests of $10,000 or less. We accept and review small grant applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply for a small grant.

Ready to Apply for a Regular Grant?

For returning applicants and those who have a verified fit with the Foundation’s priorities for requests greater than $10,000. Regular grant applications are reviewed at one of five Board meetings each year.

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.

See Our Past Grants

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 Reads, Inc.

$50,000 / 2012 / Education
For continued support of operating costs of the Baltimore Reads Book Bank and Book Exchange. AmeriCorps members will be hired to expand the supply of books that the exchange intends to make available, for free, to more than 60,000 students in schools, and 90,000 students in homes.

Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc.

$74,000 / 2012 / Education
For support and expansion of the 2012-2013 Baltimore City Public Schools’ Chess Education Project, an after-school program for 1,000 students in 60 Baltimore City elementary, middle, and high schools. The league provides each school with materials, teacher-training programs, supervision of activities, local tournaments, and arrangements for regional and national tournaments.

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 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.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.