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

1000 Friends of Maryland

$30,000 / 2011 / Environment
Two-year funding for continued support of staffing and expenses in support of the Partners for Open Space campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to ensure that full funding of the dedicated one-half of 1 percent of Maryland’s transfer real estate tax remains earmarked for planning, acquisition, and development of recreation land or open space areas as part of Program Open Space, serving as a national model of a successful conservation strategy.

A New Faith Community

$24,545 / 2011 / Workforce Development
Two grants toward renovation costs and for expanded programming of the Clay Pots Tutoring Center, an adult literacy and GED program for residents of West Baltimore. Working in partnership with the South Baltimore Learning Center, classes are offered in Adult Basic Education, GED, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.

A Reason to Recover, Inc.

$10,000 / 2011 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Two grants toward the purchase of a stove, and payment of rent and utilities, for a transitional housing facility serving homeless women recovering from substance abuse.

A Step Forward, Inc.

$53,000 / 2011 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Challenge grant toward staffing costs for support of a transitional housing program designed to serve returning male and female ex-offenders who have a history of addiction. The program provides short- and long-term accommodations along with clinical case management, counseling, physical health referrals, mental health services, and a healthy meal plan.

ACLU Foundation of Maryland, Inc.

$50,000 / 2011 / Education
For continued support of the Baltimore City Education Reform Project, designed to ensure that schools serving disadvantaged students receive equal funding and resources. This agenda calls for advocating expansion of pre-kindergarten for low-income students, alternative strategies for suspension, improvement of teacher quality, protection of funding levels, retention of state responsibility for the cost of teacher pensions, increased levels of participation in free and reduced-price meals, adoption of a bully policy, and mobilization of parents.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.