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

Civic Works

$213,000 / 2008 / Community Development
For continued support of Project Lightbulb, an energy conservation pilot project in the Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello and Belair-Edison neighborhoods. This program offers free home-energy education and energy-saving assistance to low-income households. Trained AmeriCorps members implement practical strategies to combat rising energy costs including hot water heater and water-pipe insulation, lightbulb replacement with compact fluorescent bulbs, installation of carbon-monoxide detectors, low-flow showerheads and faucets, and setting appropriate thermostat temperatures.

Civic Works

$50,000 / 2008 / Community Development
For support of the Weatherization for Nonprofits Pilot Program, which provides ten transitional housing facilities with services to improve energy efficiency. The objectives are to decrease operating costs, reduce energy consumption, improve the quality of supportive housing facilities, and develop an air sealing and insulation training program for replication.

CollegeBound Foundation, Inc .

$110,000 / 2008 / Education
Two-year funding to create a College Access Associate position to support the Baltimore City Public School System College Readiness/College Access Initiative, designed to increase the number of Baltimore City public school students enrolling and completing post-secondary education. This position will reinforce Baltimore City’s efforts to increase the scope of college- access advising services, assist in increasing the number of students taking college entrance examinations, and prepare a gap analysis of college-access providers and scholarships.

CollegeBound Foundation, Inc.

$49,400 / 2008 / Education
For third-year support of the College Retention Project for Last Dollar grant recipients at nine participating Maryland colleges. Two advisors working with individuals are responsible for student retention on each campus, and serve 180 students. They offer one-on-one support with course selection, academic advising, financial aid, communication, tutorials, and remedial services. Other enhancements include training of junior/senior mentors to serve as resources for underclassmen. Summer jobs are provided for students completing their junior year.

Community College of Baltimore County Foundation

$75,000 / 2008 / Workforce Development
Toward support of a job-training program for 70 ex-offenders and homeless persons at the Our Daily Bread Employment Center in Baltimore City. This program will focus on training and job placement in commercial truck driving and building maintenance.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.