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

Audubon Maryland-DC

$32,000 / 2008 / Environment
For continued support of educational services at the Audubon Center in Patterson Park. Collaboration with the Friends of Patterson Park has helped to change the perception of safety issues in the park and has contributed to increased visitation and utilization. Working closely with neighborhood schools, Audubon’s curriculum-based programs, linked to Maryland State Standards, enhance the in-school science program by using the park as an outdoor laboratory. These school activities are supplemented by a series of after-school programs.

B-SPIRIT-A2Y

$40,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of after-school tutoring and mentoring programs for at-risk students in the Park Heights Community, and for operating expenses to provide utilities, insurance, and security monitoring for a newly renovated and expanded after-school facility. Located in one of the poorest and most distressed neighborhoods in Baltimore City, B-Spirit-A2Y offers an opportunity for 50 children and adolescents to engage in tutoring, homework support, community service projects, organized games, and sporting events in a safe and nurturing environment.

Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare, Inc.

$90,000 / 2008 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Pre-Allied Health Bridge Project and the Career Coaching Program. The alliance was created in response to the lack of requisite basic skills on the part of many entry-level workers applying for the postsecondary training that leads to high paying jobs. The program is designed to help entry-level workers and job seekers to advance in health careers and postsecondary education, by providing them with work-based learning opportunities and math remediation.

Baltimore City Foundation/ Curran Memorial Clock Tower

$5,000 / 2008 / Community Development
Toward renovation costs of the Curran Memorial Clock Tower, located at York Road and Woodbourne Avenue. The clock serves as a landmark for the Govans neighborhood now undergoing revitalization.

Baltimore City Health Department

$100,000 / 2008 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For the expansion of Safe Streets. The initiative is designed to reduce gun-related violence in five high-crime communities in Baltimore City by training neighborhood outreach workers in the techniques of conflict resolution, in an effort to reduce violent confrontations. An evaluation of the initiative is being conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.