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

Mother Seton Academy .

$50,000 / 2008 / Education
Capital funding toward renovation and expansion of the former St. Ann School, a tuition-free Catholic middle school in the Midway/Barclay community. The move to the renovated space enables the school to better serve its students and will provide them with a science laboratory; gym; media center; technology, art, and music rooms; and outdoor recreation space.

Maryland Institute College of Art .

$15,800 / 2008 / Education
Last Dollar support toward tuition and related fees in support of a former Baraka School graduate for the 2008-2009 school year.

Maryland Disability Law Center .

$5,000 / 2008 / Education
Toward support of the CityWide Special Education Advocacy Project for Baltimore City public school students with disabilities. The project brings together diverse voices to discuss strategies that hold promise of affecting the design of special education services, and impacting outcome in the areas of funding, discipline, high school completion, and transitional services.

Institute of Notre Dame

$83,600 / 2008 / Education
To provide four-year Abell Foundation scholarships for two academically talented minority students from low-income families in the East Baltimore community. Each student is expected to maintain a GPA of 85 percent or better and participate in one extra-curricular program each year.

The Ingenuity Project

$390,000 / 2008 / Education
For support of the 2008-2009 Ingenuity Project, a gifted and talented math, science, and research program at three Baltimore City public middle schools and one flagship high school. Qualified students are identified and exposed to a program designed to develop them into nationally competitive, college-bound math, science, and engineering students.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.