Read our 2024 Annual Report

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

Alternative Directions, Inc.

$50,000 / 2009 / Workforce Development
Toward child support modification workshops in the Maryland Reception, Diagnostic and Classification Center; the Maryland Transition Center in Baltimore; and the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup. The objectives of the workshops are to assist 515 incarcerated individuals in preparing requests to have their child support orders modified and following-up with the child support system to ensure that the support orders have been modified.

Progressive Maryland Education Fund

$15,000 / 2009 / Community Development
For support of a study on Maryland’s living-wage law. The study will analyze the number of workers who have benefited from the law, the amount of additional income they have received, the cost to the state to implement the law, and the cost to the state if exemptions were to be eliminated.

Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, Inc.

$25,000 / 2009 / Community Development
For support of home rehabilitation services created to enable elderly and low-income residents to remain in their homes.

Maryland PIRG Foundation

$20,000 / 2009 / Community Development
Toward continued support of the Smart Energy Solutions Program, a statewide campaign designed to promote energy policies on energy efficiency and conservation.

Johns Hopkins University

$150,000 / 2009 / Community Development
Toward the establishment of The Lieber Institute, a psychiatric research facility, at the Johns Hopkins Science and Technology Park. Scientists conducting the research will focus on schizophrenia.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.