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

Boys Hope Girls Hope

$50,000 / 2008 / Education
Capital funding toward the purchase of land, construction costs, furnishings, and related expenses for the Girls Hope Home project.

Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc .

$42,300 / 2008 / Education
For continued support of the 2008-2009 Chess Education Project, an after-school program in 50 Baltimore City public elementary, middle, and high schools. The project provides students the opportunity to receive coaching; engage in intermural, regional, and national competitions; and attend weeklong USA Chess Camp during the summer. The “First Move” chess curriculum is being offered in second-grade classrooms in three elementary schools as a pilot project.

Baltimore Council of Foreign Affairs

$5,000 / 2008 / Education
Two grants for continued support of the Cable Television Outreach program.

Baltimore Community Foundation, Inc.

$100,000 / 2008 / Education
Five-year funding toward an endowment for the Gilbert Sandler Fund for Speech and Debate and Mock Trial at Baltimore City College. The endowment will help ensure the viability of the program, which teaches students research, persuasion, and public speaking, and affords them the opportunity to compete in local and national tournaments.

Baltimore City Public School System/ William H. Lemmel Middle School

$24,085 / 2008 / Education
For the purchase of hardware, teacher training material, and programming. The initiative will support the integration of a pilot technology program into the curriculum in an effort to affect increased attendance and achievement through exposure to technology instruction.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.