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

Maryland PIRG Foundation

$20,000 / 2009 / Community Development
Toward continued support of the Smart Energy Solutions Program, a statewide campaign designed to promote energy policies on energy efficiency and conservation.

Mission Possible Ministries, Inc.

$15,000 / 2009 / Health and Human Services
For electrical upgrades, fencing, and backyard concrete for three existing transitional houses that provide housing for 27 homeless men in West Baltimore. Residents are encouraged to develop life and job skills and work toward self-sufficiency.

Museum of Ceramic Art

$34,000 / 2009 / Arts
For support of the 2009-2010 in-school and after-school ceramic art programs in 46 Baltimore City public middle schools. Aligned with the Maryland State Content Standards and integrated with core subjects, the program reinforces students’ reading, writing, and creative skills. The nine-month program provides each teacher with wheels, kilns, supplies, a stipend, coaching, professional training workshops, and monthly networking. While student works of art are temporarily exhibited in public venues such as the Baltimore Visitor Center at the Inner Harbor, arrangements are also made for participating schools to create ceramic murals for permanent installations in various locations in Baltimore City.

Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, Inc.

$25,000 / 2009 / Community Development
For support of home rehabilitation services created to enable elderly and low-income residents to remain in their homes.

New Leaders for New Schools

$150,000 / 2009 / Education
For continued support of the New Leaders-Baltimore program to recruit and develop school principals for Baltimore City public schools, for the 2009-2010 school year. Following the one-year residency training, 9 percent of New Leaders “residents” are placed as principals. There are now more than 40 New Leaders principals leading city schools.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.