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

American Farmland Trust

$45,000 / 2010 / Environment
Toward support of Clean Water for the Chesapeake Bay, a project designed to reduce nutrient runoff into the Chesapeake Bay and to improve its water quality. The focus of the three-year campaign is to engage local farmers in adopting best practices, and developing and supporting policies to increase agricultural-inclusive actions. With participation of seven local farmers in Maryland, a demonstration project using Best Management Practices Challenge Tools, American Farmland Trust will introduce the computerized systems to determine how to calculate more exact amounts of fertilizer needed. This measured approach is expected to reduce the amount of nitrogen spread on the fields, thus lowering nutrient runoff.

Art on Purpose

$5,000 / 2010 / Education
Toward support of the Art Leadership program for students at Civitas School, Baltimore Freedom Academy, and Afya Public Charter School. The program identifies and prepares students to be candidates for summer jobs in the arts. Working with 30 high school and 100 middle school students, Art on Purpose teaches participants art skills transferable to the workplace.

Art with a Heart

$30,000 / 2010 / Workforce Development
For support and expansion of the 2010 Summer Job Program, a visual arts program for 30 at-risk youth in the Rose Street community. As part of the six-week summer work experience, students will create 60 marketable art pieces, including decoupage furniture and mosaics for sale at Artscape.

Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance

$5,000 / 2010 / Education
For continued support and expansion of programs to integrate arts into the curriculum of Maryland’s public schools.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

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

Header photo courtesy of Thread.