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

University of Baltimore

$44,800 / 2012 / Education
For support of the College Readiness Academy, an initiative designed to develop college and academic skills for 380 students in seven Baltimore City public high schools. The initiative aims to increase scores on college placement tests, and ensure that juniors and seniors avoid remedial coursework in college.

University of Maryland

$34,150 / 2012 / Community Development
For support of graduate research toward a plan to reduce fish kills in the Baltimore Harbor, using controlled algae production. The pilot algal turf scrubber has been designed to remove nutrients, which may be recycled as feedstock for biofuels and fertilizer.

University of Maryland School of Medicine

$25,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward support of the Child Abuse and Maltreatment Prevention Program, an intervention program designed to involve pediatricians in identifying and addressing risk factors for child maltreatment. The Multidisciplinary Team, including representatives from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the Johns Hopkins Hospital, the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, meets bi-weekly to make recommendations for services designed to prevent abuse and reduce the number of reports to Child Protective Services.

University of Maryland School of Medicine

$5,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward the purchase of molecular reagents required to research novel approaches for the expansion of normal stem cells and killing of cancer stem cells.

Urban Teacher Center, Inc.

$150,000 / 2012 / Education
For support of the Urban Teacher Center (UTC), designed to prepare teachers to serve Baltimore City’s neediest schools. The teaching program requires applicants to make a four-year commitment beginning with a residency year, and followed by three years of teaching in a high-need Baltimore City Public School. UTC provides a model for teacher preparation and state licensure that is linked to student performance results.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.