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

Baltimore City Public Schools – Southwest Baltimore Charter School

$23,600 / 2011 / Education
Toward implementation of the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment system. MAP, in order to assess students’ progress throughout the year, offers individualized computerized tests to measure strengths, weaknesses, and growth. The goal is to increase the percentage of students achieving year-to-year improvement on the Maryland State Assessments.

Baltimore City Public Schools – SummerREADS

$95,630 / 2011 / Education
For support of the 2011 SummerREADS book distribution program and its evaluation of second- and third-grade students in nine high-poverty, low-performing Baltimore City public schools. The first of the three-year summer reading and home library program has been designed to prevent literacy loss over the summer months. With the support of teachers and family members, participating students will be given 12 books to encourage voluntary summer reading.

Baltimore City Public Schools – The Mount Washington School

$100,000 / 2011 / Education
For the salary and benefits of an International Baccalaureate coordinator at The Mount Washington School. The coordinator will oversee the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Programme (IB) into the school’s curriculum and ensure that the IB standards are met. The IB program, emphasizing intellectual challenges and development of critical and reflective skills, focuses on the integration and interrelationship of all content areas in a global context. The program will serve up to 80 students in three sixth-grade classes.

Baltimore Clayworks, Inc.

$5,000 / 2011 / Arts
Planning grant for the expansion of a permanent satellite location at Tuerk House, a residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment center offering services in support of recovery.

Baltimore Clayworks, Inc.

$5,000 / 2011 / Arts
Toward funding of ceramic art workshops at the Zeta Senior Center for more than 500 children, youth, and senior citizens who have little or no access to the arts in the Pimlico/Park Heights community.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.