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

Johns Hopkins University School of Education

$19,738 / 2012 / Education
For an evaluation of the 2012 SummerREADs Book Distribution Program. The evaluation aims to determine the effects of a summer reading program designed to increase reading achievement in the face of reading loss associated with summer vacation.

Johns Hopkins University School of Education

$61,068 / 2012 / Education
Toward support of the Neuro-Education Initiative, which is designed to develop, implement, and study the effects of arts-integrated science units on student engagement and retention of instructional content. The effort includes curriculum development and implementation, and training of 16 fifth-grade teachers in Baltimore City Public Schools.

Johns Hopkins University Institute for Policy Studies

$13,000 / 2012 / Education
Toward tuition costs of an extra semester in a Baltimore City public high school for a student in the Baltimore Scholars college program at Johns Hopkins University.

Johns Hopkins University – Center for Social Organization of Schools

$100,000 / 2012 / Education
For support of the Baltimore Education Research Consortium (BERC) core research program and continued work on College Access & Readiness data for Baltimore City Public School students. BERC will complete a study of city school graduates’ enrollment in college, rate of completion of degree programs, and evaluation of the CollegeBound College Retention Program. A College Access Advisory Group, working with Baltimore Data Collaborative, will provide information to be shared with BERC’s affiliations.

The Ingenuity Project

$485,000 / 2012 / Education
For support of the 2012-2013 Ingenuity Project’s advanced math, science, and research program, which serves 517 Baltimore City Public Schools middle and high school students. The objective is to provide rigorous math and science instruction, as well as immersion in a research curriculum and practicum in order to launch the next generation of STEM leaders. Students are encouraged to participate in math and science competitions including Intel, Siemens, U.S. Biology Olympiads, and the Baltimore Science Fair.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.