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

Baltimore City Public School System/ Western High School .

$38,007 / 2008 / Education
To fund the purchase and installation of computers, monitors, and software for use in the University of Baltimore Game Design Course. The object of the initiative is to engage Western High School students in college-level studies in courses related to mathematics, technology, and graphic design. Successful participants will earn three college credits.

Baltimore City Public School System/ Surgical Technician and Nursing Programs

$5,000 / 2008 / Education
To underwrite the cost of certificate exam fees for students participating in the Surgical Technician and Nursing Assistant programs.

Baltimore City Public School System/ National Academic League .

$173,200 / 2008 / Education
For support of the 2008-2009 National Academic League in 26 Baltimore City public middle schools. The league, engaging more than 600 students, provides extracurricular, interscholastic programming in an atmosphere traditionally associated with athletic events.

Baltimore City Public School System/ Early Identification and Intervention Project

$46,000 / 2008 / Education
Funding in support of a one-year demonstration project designed to test expanded delivery of the BCPSS Early Identification and Intervention Project to pre-K and first-grade students at Barclay Elementary/Middle School and Edgewood Elementary School. The project is intended to measure the effectiveness of a reading intervention specialist as a core member of the educational team in achieving grade-level performance at the end of first grade, and of reducing the number of failures in kindergarten.

Baltimore City Public School System/ Baltimore City College

$35,000 / 2008 / Education
For support of teacher recruitment and professional development designed to strengthen the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) programs. The purpose of the initiative is to recruit three highly qualified teachers, one each in physics, statistics, and history; and to provide summer training in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program for all eight City College IB teachers committed to increasing the number of 11th-grade and 12th-grade participants.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.