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 Clayworks, Inc.

$5,000 / 2009 / Arts
Planning grant for the expansion of a satellite location at the Newborn Ministries Jubilee Arts Center in Sandtown-Winchester. This initiative will connect artists with communities that would otherwise have limited or no access to an art center.

Environmental Integrity Project

$35,000 / 2009 / Environment
Toward support of the Maryland Open Government Initiative, a collaborative effort with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. The goal is to encourage state and federal enforcement entities to do a more effective job in ensuring the health and safety of Maryland residents, and to protect them from dangerous levels of air pollution.

Chesapeake Climate Action Network

$15,000 / 2009 / Environment
To underwrite staffing costs for the Legal Enforcement Project, focused on abating local power plant emissions through legal action against repeated violations of the Maryland Clean Air Act.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

$5,000 / 2009 / Environment
In support of the 2010 Environmental Legislative Summit.

1000 Friends of Maryland

$15,000 / 2009 / Environment
For continued support of staffing and expenses related to the Partners for Open Space campaign, and to advocate for conservation to be a lead legislative issue. With the use of electronic mail, regional polls, a website, and timely media events, the coalition of 155 conservation organizations in Maryland will maintain a voice for protecting open space for parks, preserving agricultural lands, and seeking full funding for Program Open Space.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.