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

American Farmland Trust

$35,000 / 2007 / Environment
For staffing costs and related expenses to facilitate the implementation of recommendations set out in Maryland’s Statewide Plan for Agricultural Policy and Resource Management, and to build support for proposed reforms of the 2007 Farm Bill. The Trust will continue to provide community outreach and bridge farming communities with the environmental community, promote a more viable and sustaining agriculture economy in Maryland, help open greater access to fresh and locally grown food to local markets, and work toward tripling the protected acreage of productive farmland by 2022.

Arnold Preservation Council, Inc.

$5,000 / 2007 / Community Development
For speakers’ travel fees and related expenses of a one-day conference on growth management in Anne Arundel County.

Art With A Heart

$15,550 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For continued support and expansion of Summer Jobcorps, a visual arts program for 30 at-risk youth living in the Rose Street community. Developed as a four-week job-training program for 14- to 21-year-olds, Art With A Heart offers summer work experience in the creating and selling of marketable art at the 2007 Artscape.

Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance

$5,000 / 2007 / Education
For continued support of programs designed to integrate the arts into the curriculum of Maryland’s public schools.

Ashoka: Innovators for the Public

$49,000 / 2007 / Community Development
Toward support of the alley gating and greening initiative in Baltimore City. As a strategy to reduce crime and excess dumping and to increase property values, the Community Greens concept provides an opportunity for neighborhoods to reclaim their alleyways, broaden the possibilities for involvement in communal life, and improve their communities.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.