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

Maryland Housing Counselors Network, Inc.

$20,000 / 2011 / Community Development
For support of the Housing Counselor Training Program in Baltimore City. The program, created in response to the demand for counseling in matters of foreclosure, provides nationally recognized training for the local housing industry in Maryland. The training includes the services of counselors with state-of-the-art foreclosure prevention tools, appropriate for helping clients achieve sustainable homeownership.

Maryland Institute College of Art

$5,000 / 2011 / Health and Human Services
For support of Finding Our Wings, a pregnancy- and dropout-prevention program for teen girls in East and West Baltimore.

Maryland Institute College of Art

$21,684 / 2011 / Education
Two grants to cover senior-year tuition, room and board, and related fees for a Baraka School graduate for the 2011-2012 college year.

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)

$5,000 / 2011 / Arts
For support of the Community Art Collaborative in an effort to bring arts programs to youth in underserved Baltimore City neighborhoods. The program encourages MICA’s community-minded artists and designers to provide critical services to Baltimore’s nonprofits and public schools serving undersourced communities.

Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund

$10,000 / 2011 / Environment
For continued support of programs designed to educate conservation voters about key public policy issues on open space, transportation, and storm-water management. By serving as a communications hub with its enhanced online list reaching more than 241,000 environmental voters, the League is in a position to advance conservation policies and to strengthen the environmental collective voice of Maryland.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.