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

Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc.

$35,000 / 2008 / Community Development
For continued support of residential and commercial revitalization efforts, including the Foreclosure Prevention Initiative. The objectives of the program are to expand foreclosure counseling service delivery in Northeast Baltimore to the Greater Lauraville community, track investor home-buying activity in Belair-Edison, track foreclosure activity in Belair-Edison, and engage renters through pre-purchase homeownership counseling, and encourage homeowner use of incentives to strengthen the residential real estate market.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland, Inc .

$100,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
For continued support and expansion of the Amachi mentoring program for 650 children of incarcerated parents. The program is designed to match the children with caring and responsible adult mentors while, at the same time, providing case-management support for families, guardians, and volunteers. The program will continue to collect data on outcomes, including school performance, substance use, delinquent behavior, relationships with peers and adults, and degree of achieved self-confidence.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County

$50,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
Toward the implementation of Project Learn, an after-school mentoring program for 300 at-risk youth in the O’Donnell Heights and Brooklyn/Curtis Bay communities. Project Learn activities include Power Hour—the first hour of the afternoon activities set aside for children to complete homework, receive tutoring, and work on computers, as well as art activities, health education, and recreational activities. In addition, the program emphasizes parent involvement in club activities.

Boys Hope Girls Hope

$50,000 / 2008 / Education
Capital funding toward the purchase of land, construction costs, furnishings, and related expenses for the Girls Hope Home project.

Boys’ Latin School of Maryland

$5,000 / 2008 / Education
Toward expenses related to enrollment of a former Baraka School student for the 2008-2009 school year.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.