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

Rebuilding Together Baltimore

$25,000 / 2007 / Community Development
To fund the salary of a part-time program manager. The program manager’s responsibilities include client relations, and volunteer and contractor management. This intensive oversight will help Rebuilding Together Baltimore to increase the numbers of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly, disabled, and families with children, served in targeted neighborhoods.

Public Justice Center, Inc.

$50,000 / 2007 / Community Development
For continued support of the Tenant Advocacy Project. The objectives are to reduce the number of eviction cases and the number processed through the court and to eliminate the practice of depositing tenant belongings in the public right-of-way and the cost of chattel pickup and disposal.

Progressive Maryland Education Fund

$5,000 / 2007 / Community Development
For support of the fund’s outreach campaign designed to educate the public and mobilize public involvement in the process of resolving Maryland’s fiscal crisis.

Patterson Park Community Development Corporation

$30,000 / 2007 / Community Development
For continued support of an initiative to clean streets and alleys in the Patterson Park community. The effort is intended to help eliminate trash and create a visually appealing, comfortable, and secure community in the 22-block area.

Parks & People Foundation

$60,000 / 2007 / Community Development
Toward start-up costs of two revenue-producing ventures: Chesapeake Trees, an urban tree nursery; and Baltimore City Wood Works, LLC, a waste wood reuse/recycle business. The purpose is threefold: to grow and sell local urban-appropriate tree species that can be used to increase the tree canopy; create opportunities for city residents to learn about environmental restoration/mitigation projects; and generate examples of successful environmental social ventures.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.