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

Curry School of Education Foundation, Inc.

$100,000 / 2012 / Education
Toward support of Project CYCLE, a tested teacher coaching model, designed to improve performance and retention of teachers in Baltimore City Public Schools.

Dayspring Programs, Inc.

$56,615 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
To fund repointing of an historic three-story school building, in an effort to provide 18 permanent housing units, space for residential treatment, Head Start classrooms, and administrative offices that will allow Dayspring to expand services to homeless and addicted women and their families.

Deborah’s Place

$5,000 / 2012 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward the cost of replacing household furnishings for a supportive housing facility. The program, which serves up to 12 women recovering from substance abuse in the Park Heights area, receives referrals from Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, drug court, and Hidden Gardens.

Digital Harbor Foundation

$200,000 / 2012 / Education

For support of EdTech Link, a digital literacy and technology workforce program that provides training to Baltimore City teachers in classroom and school integration of technology.  Teacher Fellows also host after-school clubs for Baltimore City Public Schools K-12 students. The seven EdTech Link Fellows organize community EdTech forums where community leaders are brought together to discuss technology solutions to problems in education. The foundation will partner with the Baltimore Educational Research Consortium to determine to what extent technology education and after-school programming improve students’ performance, and graduation and employment rates.

Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance

$5,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward educational advocacy efforts designed to increase enrollment and parental involvement at Baltimore City Public Schools. By marketing city schools to families living downtown, the alliance aims to establish stable and economically viable schools in its neighborhoods.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.