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

Druid Heights Community Development Corporation

$50,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward operating support for the Urban Youth Initiative Project, a year-round after-school educational and enrichment program that serves 35 children five days a week. The goal is to increase academic achievement and self-confidence; instill values of individual responsibility, self-respect, and self-discipline; and encourage parental involvement.

Dyslexia Tutoring Program

$15,000 / 2012 / Education
Toward support of tutoring services for up to 125 low-income children attending Baltimore City Public Schools. Students receive up to 60 hours of weekly, hour-long, one-on-one reading instruction based on the Orton Gillingham reading methodology. The program offers eight in-service workshops for teachers representing 25 Title l schools, and is currently training 110 tutors.

East Baltimore Development, Inc.

$75,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
For support of an Adolescent Behavioral Health Partnership to be implemented by Elev8 Baltimore, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Elev8 provides a Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction intervention, designed to improve students’ skills for coping with trauma and anxiety, to 400 middle school students. The project includes a behavioral assessment system that identifies students in need of behavioral health support services.

Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore

$5,000 / 2012 / Community Development
For support of Betascape, a weekend of art and technology in Baltimore City.

Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore

$5,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward support of the 2013 TEDx Baltimore conference.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.