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

Reach Out and Read

$50,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward the salary of a Program Director for the Greater Baltimore School Readiness Project, and for the purchase of books to implement a one-on-one literacy tutoring project for 160 students in grades K through five in four Title 1 schools in Baltimore City. The project recruits and trains volunteers to work with students twice a week for a minimum of 16 hours. It aims to have students reading closer to grade level by the end of the school year.

Planned Parenthood of Maryland, Inc.

$151,750 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
A two-year grant toward support of a Baltimore City birth control initiative titled “Provision of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Methods for High-Need Clients.” The initiative provides family planning services and access to LARC methods to 470 low-income Baltimore City women.

Parkside Warriors

$5,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward the purchase of football and cheerleading uniforms for 250 boys and girls participating in supervised after-school sports in the Belair-Edison neighborhood.

Parks & People Foundation

$98,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Hooked on Sports program serving Baltimore City Public School students in grades four through 12 in after-school sports and recreational activities. Participants are taught the fundamentals of playing organized sports, and the value of teamwork and fair play. To be eligible, students must earn a minimum “C” average, maintain 90 percent school attendance, and undertake a community service project.

The Northeast Youth Association

$5,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward the cost of re-sodding Rogers Field for youth participating in the Northeast Chargers Youth Football program.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.