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

Carver Vocational-Technical High School

$5,000 / 2011 / Education
Toward travel expenses for students who participated in the Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Exchange Program in the summer of 2011.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$5,000 / 2011 / Education
For support of the Educational Funders Affinity Group.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$120,000 / 2011 / Education
For continued funding of the Supporting Public Schools of Choice initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to provide the technical assistance needed to ensure increased student achievement.

Arts Every Day

$25,000 / 2011 / Education
To increase the number of Baltimore City Public Schools’ students and teachers participating in the Arts Every Day Schools Program. The objective is to incorporate arts into the lives of students through a curriculum that meets Maryland content standards. The program offers professional training to classroom teachers and artists-in-residence, and maintains an updated website promoting opportunities to collaborate with local cultural institutions, and the use of arts integration tools and strategies.

Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance

$10,000 / 2011 / Education
For continued support and expansion of programs to integrate the arts into the curriculum of Maryland’s public schools.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.