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?

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 for a Small Grant?

For first-time or returning applicants with grant requests of $10,000 or less. We accept and review small grant applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply for a small grant.

Start a Small Grant Application

Ready to Apply for a Regular Grant?

For returning applicants and those who have a verified fit with the Foundation’s priorities for requests greater than $10,000. Regular grant applications are reviewed at one of five Board meetings each year.

Start a Regular 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

Towson University

$31,000 / 2007 / Education
Planning grant for the development of the Cherry Hill Learning Zone Initiative, a partnership among the Baltimore City Public School System, Baltimore City, Towson University, and Cherry Hill’s grassroots organizations. After preparing an analysis of the local neighborhood indications and publishing a report, Initiative partners will develop an action plan for specific interventions to address community needs. Outcomes for each intervention will be evaluated and best practices of comprehensive community approaches documented.

Teach For America-Baltimore

$100,000 / 2007 / Education
For continuation of an initiative for recruitment and training of 90 to 100 new Teach For America Corps members and ongoing support of 85 corps members teaching in Baltimore City public schools. These recent college graduates, who have made a two-year commitment, are offered the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in teaching at the Johns Hopkins University, while being placed in appropriate schools.

Sylvan Beach Foundation, Inc.

$5,000 / 2007 / Education
For a feasibility study of an initiative designed to create a central kitchen to prepare and serve nutritional breakfast and lunch to students at the ten charter schools in Baltimore City.

The SEED Foundation

$100,000 / 2007 / Education
Toward operating costs for the final phase of development of a boarding school for at-risk youth in Baltimore City. To achieve the goal of opening the school in the fall of 2008, the final phase of the planning will include establishing a board of trustees, helping to raise $30 million in private funds, securing site control of the former Southwestern High School facility, completing construction, developing the curriculum and programming, hiring staff, training school leadership, and launching a statewide student recruitment campaign.

Project Garrison/Meet Me Halfway Village Center

$5,000 / 2007 / Education
Toward operating support of an in-school mentoring program for at-risk students at Garrison Middle School and Forest Park High School.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.