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

American Civil Liberties Foundation of Maryland, Inc. (ACLU)

$150,000 / 2009 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Regional Housing Equity Project. ACLU will focus on developing a regional housing remedy to enable thousands of public housing residents to live in high-opportunity areas.

Agape Family Empowerment Center

$5,000 / 2009 / Health and Human Services
Toward expenses related to the Park Heights Saints football and cheerleading program for 165 youth in the Park Heights community.

Advocates for Children and Youth (ACY)

$30,000 / 2009 / Health and Human Services
Toward continued support of programming designed to improve the outcomes of Baltimore City children in the child welfare system. ACY will monitor the implementation of the new family-centered case practice model and assess the level of in-home supportive services for families.

Teach For America-Baltimore

$135,000 / 2009 / Education
Two grants for the continuation and expansion of an initiative to double the number of recent college graduates recruited and trained to 160, and to provide ongoing support for the 80 returning Teach For America corps members in Baltimore City public schools.

The Piney Woods School

$79,250 / 2009 / Education
To provide scholarships for nine male students from Baltimore City to attend a college preparatory boarding school for the 2009-2010school year, and for the salary of a retention counselor. The counselor provides a range of services: monitoring class attendance and participation, overseeing study hall and dormitory behavior, and acting as a liaison and advocate for students and their families.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.