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

Patuxent Riverkeeper/EarthReports, Inc .

$20,000 / 2008 / Environment
Toward the implementation of the Patuxent 20/20 program, a plan designed to stem unchecked growth in the Patuxent watershed. Part of the plan calls for recommendations for legislative reform of the Critical Area laws, strengthening growth-management policies, joining in litigation to abate pollution infractions, and monitoring the impact of Base Realignment and Closure’s (BRAC) 11,000 new households moving into the watershed.

Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University

$35,000 / 2008 / Education
For continued support of the Music Teacher Mentoring Program to provide professional development for 77 first-year and returning music teachers. Two Peabody mentors offer enhancements to the music curriculum, age appropriate materials and lesson plans, strategies on effective classroom management skills, and new methodologies to encourage student engagement.

People Acting Together in Howard

$20,000 / 2008 / Community Development
To hire an organizer for residents of mobile home parks in Howard County that are likely to be sold to developers, and to explore options for resident purchase of the parks in order to retain them as affordable housing communities.

Public Justice Center, Inc.

$50,000 / 2008 / Education
Toward support of the School Continuity Project for youth adversely affected by disruption in housing due to homelessness or awaiting foster care placements. The purpose of the project is to improve access to public education as required by law for these children by providing information and advocacy, offering services to families, and connecting the efforts of educators and homeless/foster-care providers.

Public Justice Center, Inc.

$20,000 / 2008 / Community Development
Toward the production and distribution of an educational film and written materials for use in District Court in support of tenants facing eviction. The educational material has been written and produced in consultation with the District Court, landlords, and tenants, to ensure accuracy and fairness, and will help interpret the court system to tenants. The goal is to reduce the number of tenant evictions and reduce the number of cases being processed through the system.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.