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

St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center

$100,000 / 2008 / Community Development
Toward the purchase and revitalization of 55 FHA-foreclosed properties in the Brooklyn-Curtis Bay community over a two-year period in an effort to increase the number of homeowners and to help stabilize the neighborhoods.

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, Inc.

$80,000 / 2008 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Learn to Earn Program, a job training readiness program at the St. Ambrose Outreach Center, integrating adult education services with job training, placement, and post-placement services. Learn to Earn offers specialized training in child care, medical terminology, certified nursing assistance, culinary arts, administrative assistance, and computer technology.

Teach For America-Baltimore

$125,000 / 2008 / Education
For continuation of an initiative to recruit and train 85 Teach For America Corps members, and work with 75 second-year corps members committed to teaching in Baltimore City public schools. These recent college graduates, who commit to work in classrooms for two years, are offered the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in teaching at The Johns Hopkins University.

The Community School, Inc.

$15,000 / 2008 / Education
For continued support of an alternative school setting for an academic and mentoring program serving youth and adults in the Remington community. This high school alternative program parallels the regular course of study in all content areas, with the goal of qualifying students to pass the GED, and obtain a job or enter college. The Community School serves as a site for the External Diploma Program, which allows adults to earn a Maryland high school diploma by demonstrating experiential learning.

The Downtown Sailing Center

$30,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
For support of the center’s outreach programs, which include an Accessible Sailing Program for persons with physical disabilities, as well as sailing instruction programs for children from disadvantaged communities. The program utilizes volunteers to help maintain optimum instructor-to-sailor ratios, and teaches safety, self-confidence, communication, leadership skills, and teamwork.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.