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

Chesapeake Rivers Association

$5,000 / 2006 / Environment
To fund the Riverkeeper Program, created to document the water quality of the Severn River. The program will determine the extent of deterioration and “dead zones” in order to encourage county and state governments to enforce environmental laws, and to allocate adequate resources to reverse the loss of healthy aquatic life.

Chesapeake Climate Action Network

$30,000 / 2006 / Environment
For support of the Clean Cars for Maryland Campaign. The campaign supports public policies designed to put cleaner cars on the road in the near future and help reduce greenhouse gases.

Center for Watershed Protection, Inc.

$25,000 / 2006 / Environment
To develop a watershed collaboration involving the Baltimore Harbor Watershed Association, Herring Run Watershed Association, and the Jones Falls Watershed Association to create and implement comprehensive watershed management and sub-watershed action projects.

Audubon Maryland-DC

$30,000 / 2006 / Environment
In support of educational services at the Audubon Center in Patterson Park. Working closely in partnership with neighboring schools, Audubon offers curriculum integrating Maryland Content Standards, field trips, and end-of-year service projects for elementary, middle, and high school students.

1000 Friends of Maryland

$35,000 / 2006 / Environment
For continued support of Partners for Open Space and Program Open Space. The Partners will commission a statewide poll to assess the extent of grassroots support for the preservation efforts of Green Print, Rural Legacy, Maryland Preservation Farmland Foundation, and Heritage Conservation Fund as well as Program Open Space. A report, “The High Cost of Conservation Cuts to Counties,” will be released and disseminated to public officials and legislators.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.