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 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 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 your saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

Maryland Institute College of Art

$16,000 / 2009 / Education
Last Dollar support toward tuition and related fees for a Baltimore City public school graduate for the 2009-2010 school year.

Maryland Disability Law Center

$5,000 / 2009 / Education
For continued 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 making an impact on the delivery of special education services and outcomes in the areas of funding, discipline, high school completion, and transitional services.

KIPP Baltimore, Inc.

$50,000 / 2009 / Education
For continued support of the extended day program at the KIPP Ujima Village Academy and the new elementary school, KIPP Harmony, which opened in fall 2009. The longer school day and week, and the summer school, are key components of the program designed to move student achievement to the top 10 percent in the Baltimore City Public School System.

Johns Hopkins University/Center for Social Organization of Schools

$14,033 / 2009 / Education
Fourth- and fifth-year funding for an evaluation of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Vivien T. Thomas and Augusta Fells Savage High Schools. The evaluation will study EOP, a sequential mentoring program designed to increase graduation rates, and determine whether, by assessing various criteria, EOP merits replication.

Johns Hopkins University/Center for Social Organization of Schools

$50,000 / 2009 / Education
Toward continued support of the Baltimore Education Research Consortium (BERC). BERC is a partnership of the Baltimore City public schools, Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, and other civic and community partners. BERC’s mission is to conduct and disseminate long- and short-term strategic data analysis and research that informs decisions about policy and practice to improve the educational life outcomes of children in Baltimore.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.