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

Housing Authority of Baltimore City

$137,500 / 2011 / Workforce Development
To provide the Vehicles for Change program with cars and driver’s education for 50 families participating in the Housing Authority’s Special Mobility Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Incentive Mentoring Program (IMP)

$300,000 / 2011 / Education
For continued support of the IMP mentoring program for 80 struggling students at Dunbar High School, the Academy for College and Career Exploration, and Dunbar Middle School. With teams of volunteers from Johns Hopkins University and Medical School graduate programs, the year-round program matches the cohorts of lowest-performing students with a family of mentors to remove obstacles that stand in the way of students being successful. These services include after-school tutoring, basic human needs, transportation, day care, job-placement referral, drug treatment, and college application assistance. As needed, mentors will meet with students three to seven times a week.

Innovation Alliance, Inc.

$75,000 / 2011 / Community Development
For support of a feasibility research study, “Canvas for Innovation,” designed to convert existing industrial space into venues fostering innovative business models.

Institute of Notre Dame

$500,000 / 2011 / Education
To provide up to 15 need-based, full four-year scholarships for a ninth-grade student cohort beginning in fall 2012 and available through graduation in June 2016. The goal is to maintain a 100 percent high school graduation rate and a 98 percent college enrollment rate.

James Mosher Baseball League

$30,000 / 2011 / Health and Human Services
Toward the renovation of two baseball fields at the James Mosher Elementary School. The project will include the installation of an infield irrigation system, the purchase and installation of new bleachers for the main baseball diamond, and the regrading and aeration of the ball fields.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.