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

Baltimore Stars Coalition/AAU

$40,000 / 2010 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the volunteer-operated Baltimore Stars Basketball Program serving 120 inner-city boys, ages eight to 17. The program provides opportunities to compete in AAU state and national basketball tournaments, and in addition to teaching basketball skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship, the program provides educational support that includes mentoring, tutoring, and SAT preparation.

Baltimore Talent Education Center

$25,000 / 2010 / Education
Funding to expand a string music program for Baltimore City pre-K to high school students in five locations. These programs serve as feeders to the TWIGS program at the Baltimore School for the Arts, Tuned-In Program at the Peabody Institute, and Sinfonia and Sinfonietta at the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra.

Baltimore Water Alliance

$50,000 / 2010 / Workforce Development
Toward the development and implementation of a green jobs work placement program in horticulture, landscaping, and urban agriculture. The program will target a team of three high school graduates between the ages of 18 and 24 from under-represented neighborhoods to be hired as AmeriCorps volunteers over a 10-month period. With the help of the team, the Alliance plans to plant more than 300 trees, remove three acres of invasive plants, disconnect 100 residential downspouts, install 50 rain barrels, and assist Real Foods Farm in growing winter vegetables and maintaining community gardens. On completion of the training period, AmeriCorps volunteers will transition to respective career paths.

Baltimore Youth Lacrosse Foundation

$10,000 / 2010 / Health and Human Services
Two grants for the support of an expansion of the Baltimore Youth Lacrosse League, and to create a summer program for at-risk inner-city middle school boys.

Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporationﾠ

$20,000 / 2010 / Community Development
For continued support of the Home Maintenance Program designed to enable elderly, low-income homeowners in Southeast Baltimore to remain in their homes. The program serves more than 350 homeowners in need of minor maintenance repairs such as checking and cleaning gutters, moving air conditioning units, changing ceiling light fixtures, and testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.