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

Greektown Community Development Corporation

$5,000 / 2011 / Education
Toward support of an after-school academic mentoring program for students at John Ruhrah Elementary Middle School and Patterson High School.

Health Care for the Homeless

$10,000 / 2011 / Health and Human Services
Two grants to provide emergency shelter for homeless persons with disabilities.

Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc.

$125,000 / 2011 / Community Development
For general support of community activities in neighborhoods targeted for revitalization. In partnership with banks, government agencies, community organizations, and other foundations, Healthy Neighborhoods provides grants to neighborhoods for marketing, community organizing, and development projects designed to preserve and improve real estate values. It offers below-market loans for home improvements and homeownership, as well as homeownership counseling, technical and architectural services, and construction management.

High Zero Foundation, Inc.

$5,000 / 2011 / Arts
For continued support of an annual international festival of experimental music and culture. The program emphasizes improvisations and collaborations among the avant-garde, featuring musicians from the region and around the world, and includes free workshops, and street and site-specific performances.

Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC)

$70,000 / 2011 / Health and Human Services
Two-year funding for continued support of the Healthy Minds at Work Project for youth enrolled in the HEBCAC Youth Opportunity (YO) Employment and Training Program. The Healthy Minds at Work Project provides mental health screenings and on-site treatment for YO members who screen positive for depression, anxiety, or suicidal tendencies. The purpose of the project is to increase the members’ knowledge of mental health resources, decrease stigma associated with seeking mental health services, and increase members’ engagement in YO program activities–with the goal of increasing GED attainment and employment.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.