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

B-SPIRIT-A2Y

$40,000 / 2007 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of after-school tutoring and mentoring programs for at-risk students in the Park Heights Community. The program, along with tutoring and mentoring, provides utilities, insurance, and security monitoring for the newly renovated and expanded After-School Institute. Located in one of the poorest and most distressed neighborhoods in Baltimore, B-Spirit offers an opportunity to 50 younger people to take advantage of programming designed to improve their quality of life.

Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare, Inc.

$90,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For continued support of career coaching, career mapping, and the Pre-Allied Health Bridge Project. The Alliance was created in response to reports that many entry-level workers lack requisite basic skills for post-secondary training leading to high paying jobs.

Baltimore City College Alumni Association

$5,000 / 2007 / Education
Toward support of the 2007-2008 Speech and Debate Program.

Baltimore City Council

$5,000 / 2007 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For support of the Baltimore City Citizen-Led Court Monitoring Program. The purpose of the monitoring, operating within the criminal justice system in Baltimore, is to ensure that there is accountability and transparency for those involved in proceedings.

Baltimore City Public School System/National Academic League

$109,740 / 2007 / Education
For support of the 2007-2008 National Academic League in 22 Baltimore City public middle schools. The league, engaging more than 550 students, provides extracurricular interscholastic programming in an atmosphere of competition traditionally associated with athletic events. The purpose of the program is to increase students’ awareness of local, national, and international current events, and strengthen background knowledge in all disciplines, particularly mathematics.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.