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?

First-time applicants with grant requests greater than $10,000 should reach out to an Abell staff member to discuss their idea or submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application.

Contact Us or Email Us an LOI

Ready to Apply for a Small Grant?

For first-time or returning applicants with grant requests of $10,000 or less. We accept and review small grant applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply for a small grant.

Start a Small Grant Application

Ready to Apply for a Regular Grant?

For returning applicants and those who have a verified fit with the Foundation’s priorities for requests greater than $10,000. Regular grant applications are reviewed at one of five Board meetings each year.

Start a Regular Grant Application

Returning to a Saved Application or Submitting a Report?

Log into the grant portal below to return to a saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant. Report forms can be found under the “Requirements” tab.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

Fund for Educational Excellence

$75,000 / 2011 / Education
To grow and enhance the capacity to provide high-quality district innovation support to increase student achievement in Baltimore City public schools. The Fund will design new models to increase and measure teacher and leadership effectiveness, create a pre-screening model for teacher applications, determine the effectiveness of new literacy professional development programs, and develop recommendations for the selection of new and charter schools.

Destination ImagiNation, Inc.

$12,000 / 2011 / Education
For the implementation of Destination ImagiNation, a literacy and book distribution program designed to develop creative and critical thinking skills at Baltimore City Head Start pilot sites. The 16-week program serves 500 children in select Head Start classrooms. The program, organized around a Head Start theme/unit, integrates specific read-aloud books and literacy activities each week. Half of the children are given books to keep at home, while the other half participate in classroom literacy activities without taking books home. An evaluation will be made to determine the effectiveness of different approaches.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

$5,000 / 2011 / Education
Toward a scholarship for a ninth-grade Baltimore City student living in a foster home.

The Community School, Inc.

$10,750 / 2011 / Education
For continued funding of the College Support Program serving current students and graduates of The Community School. The program provides ongoing support and mentoring for students studying to graduate from high school or pass their GED, and to enter and graduate from college.

CollegeBound Foundation, Inc.

$87,920 / 2011 / Education
For sixth-year support of the College Retention Project for Last Dollar Grant recipients at participating colleges. The goal of the project is to increase college graduation rates among low-income and first-generation college students from Baltimore City public schools. The students are provided the opportunity for one-on-one and group on-campus counseling sessions, parent/student seasonal workshops, emergency hotlines, identification of learning assistance centers, labs, tutorials, and remedial services.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.