Read our 2024 Annual Report

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

See Our Past Grants

The Piney Woods School

$99,000 / 2008 / Education
To provide scholarships for 11 male students from at-risk environments in Baltimore City to attend a college-preparatory boarding school in Mississippi for the 2008-2009 school year. This grant includes funds for a resident counselor to help each student adjust to boarding school, by encouraging positive attitudes, study habits, appropriate social behavior, and academic achievement.

Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University

$35,000 / 2008 / Education
For continued support of the Music Teacher Mentoring Program to provide professional development for 77 first-year and returning music teachers. Two Peabody mentors offer enhancements to the music curriculum, age appropriate materials and lesson plans, strategies on effective classroom management skills, and new methodologies to encourage student engagement.

Office of the Mayor/Mayoral Fellowships .

$12,000 / 2008 / Education
Toward expenses of two Fellows participating in the 2008 summer Baltimore City Mayoral Fellowships. The ten-week internships are offered to undergraduate and graduate students who have expressed an interest in public service employment in Baltimore City government.

New Leaders for New Schools .

$125,000 / 2008 / Education
For continued support of the fourth year of the New Leaders-Baltimore program created to recruit and develop 15 new principals for Baltimore City public schools over a three-year period. The training program provides a five-week Summer Foundations Institute, a year-long residency working with a mentor principal; placement support; and two additional years of professional development, coaching, and support by veteran principals. In return, New Leaders will make a six-year contractual commitment to the Baltimore City Public School System.

Mother Seton Academy .

$50,000 / 2008 / Education
Capital funding toward renovation and expansion of the former St. Ann School, a tuition-free Catholic middle school in the Midway/Barclay community. The move to the renovated space enables the school to better serve its students and will provide them with a science laboratory; gym; media center; technology, art, and music rooms; and outdoor recreation space.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.