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

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.

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.

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.

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.

See Our Past Grants

High Zero Foundation, Inc.

$5,000 / 2010 / Arts
For continued support of an annual international festival of experimental music and culture that emphasizes improvisation and collaborations, and features musicians from Baltimore and around the world. In addition to the 20 large-scale concert sets, the festival includes free workshops, street and site-specific performances, private recording sessions, and collaborations.

Creative Alliance, Inc.

$5,000 / 2010 / Arts
Toward redesign and upgrade of the Creative Alliance website. Centered in the former Patterson Theater, funding allows the Alliance to provide interactive artistic and educational programming to a wider audience. The upgrades intend to improve connections to social media, ticketing, and marketing, and the development of virtual tours.

Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts

$5,000 / 2010 / Arts
Toward support of the 15th annual three-day Baltimore Book Festival. The funding allows the festival to increase its hours of operation as well as expand its space to accommodate 25 new exhibitors, along with more than 200 authors, booksellers, and publishers.

Baltimore Clayworks

$5,000 / 2010 / Arts
In support of a satellite location of Baltimore Clayworks at the Newborn Ministries Jubilee Art Center in Sandtown-Winchester. The center offers workshops and classes for senior adults, adults, youth, and multi-generational groups in a dedicated clay studio. The new facility makes it possible for Baltimore Clayworks to provide the opportunity for an underserved population to explore artistic programming.

Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund

$10,000 / 2010 / Environment
For continued support of the Environmental Connections Project, in support of expanding capacity, educational outreach, and grassroots programs to energize voters about public policy issues such as global warming, land protection, and Bay restoration.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.