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

Art on Purpose

$5,000 / 2011 / Education
Toward support of the Black Male Identity Project in 50 Baltimore City public schools.

ACLU Foundation of Maryland, Inc.

$50,000 / 2011 / Education
For continued support of the Baltimore City Education Reform Project, designed to ensure that schools serving disadvantaged students receive equal funding and resources. This agenda calls for advocating expansion of pre-kindergarten for low-income students, alternative strategies for suspension, improvement of teacher quality, protection of funding levels, retention of state responsibility for the cost of teacher pensions, increased levels of participation in free and reduced-price meals, adoption of a bully policy, and mobilization of parents.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$16,500 / 2010 / Other
Two grants for 2010 and 2011 membership dues.

Museum of Ceramic Art

$36,000 / 2010 / Arts
For support of the 2010-2011 in-school and after-school ceramic art programs in 41 Baltimore City public middle schools. Aligned with the Maryland State Content Standards and integrated with core subjects, the nine-month hands-on program aspires to reinforce reading, writing, math skills, and creative arts. The program provides each full-time art teacher with two wheels, a kiln, tools and supplies, coaching, professional training workshops, a stipend to run the after-school ceramic club twice a week, and opportunities for monthly networking. Arrangements are made annually for a student collaborative to create permanent ceramic tile murals for public venues such as Hollins Street Market and North East Market.

Maryland Citizens for the Arts Foundation (MCA)

$5,000 / 2010 / Arts
For ongoing promotion of the importance of the arts to quality of life in the state. By building a broader base of support of grassroots advocates for the arts, the MCA works to maintain support of the arts on legislators’ agendas.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.