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

Southeast Community Development Corporation

$5,000 / 2008 / Community Development
Toward expenses to extend the Baltimore Sculpture Project to the Highlandtown Arts and Entertainment District. Five works of art are temporarily installed in Patterson Park to help stimulate interest in a sustained public arts program for Highlandtown.

Public Justice Center, Inc.

$20,000 / 2008 / Community Development
Toward the production and distribution of an educational film and written materials for use in District Court in support of tenants facing eviction. The educational material has been written and produced in consultation with the District Court, landlords, and tenants, to ensure accuracy and fairness, and will help interpret the court system to tenants. The goal is to reduce the number of tenant evictions and reduce the number of cases being processed through the system.

People Acting Together in Howard

$20,000 / 2008 / Community Development
To hire an organizer for residents of mobile home parks in Howard County that are likely to be sold to developers, and to explore options for resident purchase of the parks in order to retain them as affordable housing communities.

Patterson Park Community Development Corporation

$35,000 / 2008 / Community Development
Toward efforts to restructure the rental housing financial portfolio, close out sales of renovated and unimproved houses, and implement limited commercial development in Library Square. The objectives are to provide affordable rental housing options within the neighborhood, encourage homebuyers to purchase, and support existing homeowners to remain in Patterson Park.

Parks & People Foundation

$60,000 / 2008 / Community Development
Second-year funding for support of two revenue-producing initiatives of the Social Enterprises Program: Chesapeake Trees, an urban tree nursery; and Baltimore Wood Works, LLC, a waste- wood recycling/reuse business. Once a permanent site for the nursery is secured and the tree brokering operation is fully operational, Parks & People anticipates sales of 5,000 trees a year.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.