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

Emerging Technology Centers, Inc.

$75,000 / 2012 / Community Development
Toward Phase III of the Project Gado robotic scanning technology. The ongoing project continues day-to-day scanning at Afro-American Newspapers so that archives are accessible to scholars, researchers, and the community.

Emerging Technology Centers, Inc.

$160,000 / 2012 / Community Development
For expenses toward the second year of the Accelerate Baltimore competition. These venture-investment awards go to six entrepreneurs and early-stage companies committed to moving to Baltimore.

EMP Collective, Inc.

$5,000 / 2012 / Arts
Toward the purchase of a projector, lighting equipment, and professional sound equipment for an emerging arts organization. EMP Collective, in collaboration with the Downtown Partnership, operates a renovated storefront as a rotating art gallery, and as a venue for theatrical and musical events, film screenings, lectures, and an experimental workshop. With higher-quality lighting, sound, and production equipment, EMP expects to attract other performing groups as tenants.

Enoch Pratt Free Library

$5,000 / 2012 / Arts
Toward support of “Pratt Presents…A Night of Mystery with Elizabeth George.” This fund-raiser features the author of the Inspector Lynley mysteries, as seen on PBS, and benefits Pratt’s child and teen literacy efforts.

Environment Maryland Research & Policy Center, Inc.

$50,000 / 2012 / Environment
Toward continued support of the Restore the Chesapeake Bay campaign. The focus of the campaign is to provide research-based reports that call attention to relevant problems of urban and farm runoff pollution, organize press conferences, and mobilize grassroots support for effective policies to reduce pollution.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.