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 reach out to an Abell staff member to discuss their idea or submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application.

Contact Us or Email Us 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 a saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant. Report forms can be found under the “Requirements” tab.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts

$5,000 / 2008 / Arts
A challenge grant for support of the 2008 Baltimore Book Festival. The September festival features more than 300 authors, exhibits, workshops, discussions, reviews of student work by professionals and peers, storytelling, nonstop readings, street performances, and live music.

Baltimore Clayworks, Inc.

$20,000 / 2008 / Arts
Toward the renovation of the Gallery Building, 1883 Provincial House. The renovations will provide additional space for handicapped-accessible exhibitions, offices, workshops, visiting artist housing, and community meeting space.

Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc .

$30,000 / 2008 / Environment
Toward support of the Chesapeake Stormwater Initiative, a collaborative project of local waterkeepers organized to monitor and initiate legal action against noncompliant developers known to be polluting the waterways. The regional office coordinates the activities of the “Get Out the Dirt” campaign, focusing on the reduction of stormwater from construction sites.

University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center

$5,000 / 2008 / Environment
Toward the launching of a virtual farmers’ market website, connecting buyers and sellers with availability of local produce. This project is among the first of its kind in the country, and provides an online venue for informing the general public about when food is harvested, how much is available, and where it can be purchased from local farmers’ markets.

Patuxent Riverkeeper/EarthReports, Inc .

$20,000 / 2008 / Environment
Toward the implementation of the Patuxent 20/20 program, a plan designed to stem unchecked growth in the Patuxent watershed. Part of the plan calls for recommendations for legislative reform of the Critical Area laws, strengthening growth-management policies, joining in litigation to abate pollution infractions, and monitoring the impact of Base Realignment and Closure’s (BRAC) 11,000 new households moving into the watershed.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.