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

Associated Black Charities (ABC)

$5,000 / 2007 / Community Development
Toward the cost of a consultant to develop a long-term strategic plan. ABC was established to raise consciousness in the African American community to become self-sufficient, competitive, and contributing through responsible leadership; to promote philanthropy; and to increase resources toward supporting improvement of the community’s well-being.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$7,500 / 2007 / Other
For 2007 membership dues.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$35,000 / 2007 / Education
For continued funding of the Supporting Public Schools of Choice initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to provide support for Baltimore City’s charter schools striving to meet their goals. Through the creation of an active network of charter school leaders and principals, the project will foster effective governance for charter schools, help develop funding sources, strengthen instructional delivery for special education students, and put in place long-range facilities management plans.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$25,000 / 2007 / Community Development
For support of the Neighborhoods for All Ages project, a pilot program designed to assist older residents to continue to live independently in their own homes by helping them gain access to services and providing them with assistance for home repairs.

Audubon Maryland-DC

$32,000 / 2007 / Environment
For continued support of educational services at the Audubon Center in Patterson Park. Joint programming with the Friends of Patterson Park is helping to change the perception of safety issues in the park and continuing to increase the overall visitation and use of the park. Working closely with neighboring schools, Audubon offers in-classroom curricula and integrates into the program Maryland Content Standards, field trips, and end-of-year service projects for elementary, middle, and high school students. After-school programming offers a 15-week series for third-grade through fifth-grade students to learn about bird biology.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.