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?

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 for a Small Grant?

For first-time or returning applicants with grant requests of $10,000 or less. We accept and review small grant applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply for a small grant.

Start a Small Grant Application

Ready to Apply for a Regular Grant?

For returning applicants and those who have a verified fit with the Foundation’s priorities for requests greater than $10,000. Regular grant applications are reviewed at one of five Board meetings each year.

Start a Regular 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 Office of Promotion and the Arts

$5,000 / 2010 / Arts
Toward support of the 15th annual three-day Baltimore Book Festival. The funding allows the festival to increase its hours of operation as well as expand its space to accommodate 25 new exhibitors, along with more than 200 authors, booksellers, and publishers.

Baltimore Clayworks

$5,000 / 2010 / Arts
In support of a satellite location of Baltimore Clayworks at the Newborn Ministries Jubilee Art Center in Sandtown-Winchester. The center offers workshops and classes for senior adults, adults, youth, and multi-generational groups in a dedicated clay studio. The new facility makes it possible for Baltimore Clayworks to provide the opportunity for an underserved population to explore artistic programming.

Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund

$10,000 / 2010 / Environment
For continued support of the Environmental Connections Project, in support of expanding capacity, educational outreach, and grassroots programs to energize voters about public policy issues such as global warming, land protection, and Bay restoration.

Environmental Integrity Project (EIP)

$125,000 / 2010 / Environment
To support a fellowship position for the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay/Hawkins Point Environmental Justice campaign. The campaign will focus on monitoring waste permits of industrial plants located in communities experiencing high levels of pollution, and will undertake an analysis of the health and environmental impacts of the emissions data. By working with locally affected communities, EIP will hold workshops on the permit process, allowing citizens to be in a stronger position to voice their rights for clean air and water.

Environment Maryland Research & Policy Center, Inc.

$40,000 / 2010 / Environment
Toward support of the Restore the Chesapeake Bay campaign. Environment Maryland, in response to the Restoration Executive Order to restore the Chesapeake Bay, is undertaking research to inform decision-makers about pollution issues, holding press conferences and arranging for media coverage—all toward educating the community about the need for upgrades of sewage treatment plans, and for reduction of nutrients and fertilizers on farms and lawns that leach into the bay waters.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.