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

Maryland Academy of Technology & Health Sciences

$7,716 / 2007 / Education
Toward the establishment of an applied health-science program at a recently opened charter school. The academy was developed to provide intellectually rigorous, personalized and supportive college-prep education for 8th to 12th graders, with an emphasis on biotechnology, health science, and bioengineering fields.

Lion Heart Project, Inc.

$62,040 / 2007 / Education
For the implementation of the Lion Heart Program, a mentoring program for 60 at-risk males at Harford Heights Middle School. After identifying at-risk students, the program provides information, resources, and support to help ensure good citizenship and on-time high school graduation.

Learning, Inc.

$25,000 / 2007 / Education
For continued support and expansion of The Learning Cooperative, a dropout prevention program for at-risk and over-age middle school students in Baltimore City public schools. The Learning Cooperative is an alternative to the traditional school setting, and offers an experimental curriculum to engage students in challenging individual and team-building initiatives, conflict-resolution training, environmental sciences, fine arts, job readiness community service, and life skills.

Johns Hopkins University/Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies

$5,000 / 2007 / Education
For the 2007 Abell Foundation Award in Urban Policy given to an undergraduate for researching and writing a report identifying and recommending a solution to a quality-of-life issue in urban life.

Johns Hopkins University/ Center for Social Organization of Schools

$10,320 / 2007 / Education
Third-year funding for an evaluation of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Southwestern High School. By providing periodic reports of progress, this study will help to determine whether EOP as a strategy, aimed at increasing graduation rates, warrants expansion in Baltimore City public schools.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.