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 Shakespeare Festival, Inc.

$5,000 / 2007 / Arts
Challenge grant for support of a residency at Baltimore City College High School. The Festival places a teaching artist for a semester to work with a class of up to 20 students. The students participating in the class often come to the program with no prior theatrical experience and a limited understanding of Shakespeare’s work. Students develop stage presence, vocal projection, and text comprehension, and they learn to perform on stage before an audience in a production of a version of a Shakespeare play.

Baltimore Opera Company

$48,200 / 2007 / Arts
For the purchase and installation of equipment for Metropolitan Opera simulcasts in the Lyric Opera House. Once the equipment is installed, the Baltimore Opera will launch a series of eight Saturday afternoon Metropolitan Opera simulcasts promoting opera to an expanded audience. The company will explore alternative forms of operatic entertainment to generate additional revenue.

Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts

$5,000 / 2007 / Arts
For support of the 2007 Baltimore Book Festival. The festival features authors, exhibitors, workshops, discussions, reviews of student work by professionals and peers, resources for young writers, tutorials with accomplished writers, and a contest for young writers that offers cash or a scholarship prize.

The African American Festival Foundation

$5,000 / 2007 / Arts
For support of the 2007 African American Heritage Festival, showcasing and celebrating the history, culture, heritage, and arts of African Americans. The Festival attracts local and national audiences of more than 500,000.

Access Art, Inc.

$5,000 / 2007 / Arts
Toward expenses of an art program for at-risk youth in the Pigtown and Morrell Park neighborhoods. The purpose of Access Art is to provide young children with creative resources that foster responsible citizenship and serve the community through projects such as murals in public spaces and anti-graffiti campaigns.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.