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

Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc .

$75,000 / 2008 / Community Development
For continued support of neighborhoods targeted for revitalization. Healthy Neighborhoods, a partnership of banks, foundations, government, and community organizations, provides operating grants and a home purchase and improvement loan program to help underserved neighborhoods increase home values, market their communities, maintain efforts for property improvement, and increase the level of renovation and investment.

Greater Baltimore Committee Foundation, Inc .

$5,000 / 2008 / Community Development
For a research paper to determine whether expanded gaming would have a positive impact on economic development in Maryland.

Everyman Theatre, Inc .

$500,000 / 2008 / Community Development
Toward the renovation of the former Town Theatre, located at Fayette and Eutaw Streets, to create a new, expanded, and permanent home for Everyman Theatre. The four-story building will provide ample space for rehearsal halls; meeting rooms; scene, costume, and prop shops; administrative offices; a lobby; and increased seating capacity in the theater.

Civic Works

$50,000 / 2008 / Community Development
For support of the Weatherization for Nonprofits Pilot Program, which provides ten transitional housing facilities with services to improve energy efficiency. The objectives are to decrease operating costs, reduce energy consumption, improve the quality of supportive housing facilities, and develop an air sealing and insulation training program for replication.

Civic Works

$213,000 / 2008 / Community Development
For continued support of Project Lightbulb, an energy conservation pilot project in the Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello and Belair-Edison neighborhoods. This program offers free home-energy education and energy-saving assistance to low-income households. Trained AmeriCorps members implement practical strategies to combat rising energy costs including hot water heater and water-pipe insulation, lightbulb replacement with compact fluorescent bulbs, installation of carbon-monoxide detectors, low-flow showerheads and faucets, and setting appropriate thermostat temperatures.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.