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

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.

Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies

$5,000 / 2009 / Community Development
For the 2009 Abell Foundation Award in Urban Policy. This award is given to a graduate student who researches and writes an essay identifying an urban problem, and proposes a data-based solution.

Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc.

$75,000 / 2009 / Community Development
For general support of a partnership of banks, foundations, government agencies, and community organizations committed to strengthening 15 underserved neighborhoods targeted for revitalization. Healthy Neighborhoods provides grants for marketing, community organizing, and block projects in an ongoing effort to preserve and improve the real estate values in selected neighborhoods.

Food Research & Action Center

$20,000 / 2009 / Community Development
Toward support of the Maryland Hunger Solutions’ pilot project to enable low-income households to purchase fresh produce at two Baltimore City farmers’ markets using their federal nutrition program benefits. The pilot will provide outreach and incentives to eligible households and the equipment and training for the farmers’ markets to accept payment through electronic benefit transfers and debit cards.

Civil Justice, Inc.

$90,000 / 2009 / Community Development
For support of an initiative, “Filling a Vital Gap in Foreclosure Prevention Through Pro Se Bankruptcy”. In addition to counseling, the project provides legal assistance in an effort to create a plan to assist homeowners facing foreclosure.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.