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

Waverly Main Street

$85,000 / 2012 / Community Development
For continued support of technical services, sanitation, a master-plan process, and revitalization of the Waverly commercial district. This grant supplements funding from the Main Street Program to begin the second phase of the Waverly Master Plan.

Y of Central Maryland

$50,000 / 2012 / Health and Human Services
Toward support of the eight-week New Horizons II Summer Camp for Homeless Youth in Baltimore City. The experience provides life-skills development, academic activities, enrichment projects, and paid employment, along with courses in financial literacy and individualized case management

Year Up Baltimore

$200,000 / 2012 / Workforce Development
Toward continued support and expansion of the Year Up Baltimore Program, which provides 80 young adults in Baltimore City with a year of IT (information technology) training. Year Up students earn 25 college credits at Baltimore City Community College, and are placed in paid internships with local partner companies to gain work experience in IT.

Young Victorian Theatre Company

$5,000 / 2012 / Arts
Toward the implementation of a marketing plan to build an audience for its annual summer production of a Gilbert & Sullivan light opera.

1000 Friends of Maryland

$5,000 / 2011 / Community Development
For the development of a three- to five-year strategic plan, with a focus on protecting rural and sensitive lands, redeveloping older cities, and addressing land use and transportation issues.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.