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

Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy

$20,000 / 2012 / Environment
Toward support of the Water Quality Monitoring Program, for the Choptank River, the Tred Avon River, the Miles and Wye rivers, and the Eastern Bay. More than 50 trained volunteers are engaged in the extensive water-monitoring program, which tests 84 sites bi-monthly to detect hot spots, illegal discharges, farm runoff, septic tank leakages, erosion sediment, and algae blooms. Findings are included in the conservancy’s second annual report and incorporated into the Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan for Talbot, Kent, and Caroline counties.

Mosaic Community Services

$136,675 / 2012 / Workforce Development
For continued support of employment services at the North Baltimore Center for 100 Baltimore City residents challenged by mental health and/or substance abuse issues. The program screens vocational clients to determine which benefits are available to them. It expects to place 55 individuals into employment.

Museum of Ceramic Art

$38,000 / 2012 / Arts
For support of the 2012-2013 ceramic art programs in 44 Baltimore City middle schools. Now in its 19th year, the program is a free in-school and after-school arts program that encourages school attendance and aims to improve academic achievement.

National Council on Teacher Quality

$15,700 / 2012 / Education

For support of the annual Teacher Prep Review, which will be published in U.S. News and World Report. The review will cover 800 teacher education programs in the U.S., including analyses and ratings for 20 schools in Maryland. The objective of the review is to create a communications strategy that demonstrates ratings are credible, fair, and accurate, and can provide useful information to advocacy groups working for change in state legislatures and school boards.

New Leaders-Baltimore

$100,000 / 2012 / Education
For continued support of the New Leaders-Baltimore program, with a goal of recruiting 12 school principals for leadership roles in Baltimore City Public Schools for the 2012-2013 school year. The new cohorts participate in a four-week summer institute, followed by a year-long residency working under an experienced principal. The following year, they are placed in schools with on-the-job networking and support for two years. New Leaders will also launch a one-year Emerging Leaders training program.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.