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

Carnegie Institution for Science

$20,000 / 2012 / Education
Toward support of BioEYES, a science education classroom program serving up to 3,200 third, fifth, seventh, and 10th graders in Baltimore City Public Schools. The week-long, hands-on biology unit uses live zebra fish as subjects and enables students to observe life cycles of fish and embryos. Teachers are trained to provide the instruction in subsequent years.

Baltimore Talent Education Center

$25,000 / 2012 / Education
For continued support and expansion of a string music instructional program that serves 400 Baltimore City pre-K to high school students in eight school sites. The program teaches music theory and offers instruction in violin, piano, and guitar.

Baltimore Reads, Inc.

$50,000 / 2012 / Education
For continued support of operating costs of the Baltimore Reads Book Bank and Book Exchange. AmeriCorps members will be hired to expand the supply of books that the exchange intends to make available, for free, to more than 60,000 students in schools, and 90,000 students in homes.

Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc.

$74,000 / 2012 / Education
For support and expansion of the 2012-2013 Baltimore City Public Schools’ Chess Education Project, an after-school program for 1,000 students in 60 Baltimore City elementary, middle, and high schools. The league provides each school with materials, teacher-training programs, supervision of activities, local tournaments, and arrangements for regional and national tournaments.

Baltimore Curriculum Project, Inc.

$108,142 / 2012 / Education
For expenses related to the implementation of the City Springs Academic Technology Project, which provides iPads, Internet access, and instruction to 105 City Springs seventh- and eighth-grade students. The objective of the project is to demonstrate the effectiveness of technology in the teaching of reading, writing, math, and computer skills.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.