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

Charm City Land Trusts, Inc.

$5,000 / 2007 / Community Development
To complete the acquisition of eight tax-foreclosed properties for use as a community garden, park, and labyrinth in the McElderry Park neighborhood.

Canton Community Association

$5,000 / 2007 / Community Development
For the development of a Master Plan for the Canton Dog Park, designed to serve as a model for a citywide network of dog parks.

Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc.

$35,000 / 2007 / Community Development
For continued support of expenses for residential and commercial revitalization efforts, including expansion of the Foreclosure Prevention Initiative. To deter disinvestment, the program will work to create conditions to attract investment and new homeowners.

Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative/ABAG

$15,000 / 2007 / Community Development
For support of the Transit-Centered Community Development initiative. The focus of the initiative is to expand transit-centered community-development strategies in Station North, West and East Baltimore; to promote and encourage employer investment and support of increased regional transit; to develop a targeted housing acquisition, rehabilitation, and development plan; and to support the creation of mixed-income communities.

Baltimore Development Corporation

$25,000 / 2007 / Community Development
Toward continuing support of administrative expenses for Maglev-Maryland, a program to develop a magnetic levitation high-speed train between Baltimore and Washington. When fully operational, the train could reduce travel time between the two cities to less than 20 minutes.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.