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

Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc.

$45,000 / 2007 / Education
For support and expansion of the Chess Education Project, an after-school program for 70 Baltimore City public elementary and middle schools. The project will also encourage chess players to attend competitive regional and national tournaments, as well as a week-long USA Chess Camp during the summer of 2008.

Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative/ABAG

$15,000 / 2007 / Community Development
For support of the Transit-Centered Community Development initiative. The focus of the initiative is to expand transit-centered community-development strategies in Station North, West and East Baltimore; to promote and encourage employer investment and support of increased regional transit; to develop a targeted housing acquisition, rehabilitation, and development plan; and to support the creation of mixed-income communities.

Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts

$5,000 / 2007 / Arts
For support of the 2007 Baltimore Book Festival. The festival features authors, exhibitors, workshops, discussions, reviews of student work by professionals and peers, resources for young writers, tutorials with accomplished writers, and a contest for young writers that offers cash or a scholarship prize.

Baltimore Opera Company

$48,200 / 2007 / Arts
For the purchase and installation of equipment for Metropolitan Opera simulcasts in the Lyric Opera House. Once the equipment is installed, the Baltimore Opera will launch a series of eight Saturday afternoon Metropolitan Opera simulcasts promoting opera to an expanded audience. The company will explore alternative forms of operatic entertainment to generate additional revenue.

Baltimore Prevention Coalition

$5,000 / 2007 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For the purchase of furniture, appliances, and related expenses for Beginning Effective Recovery Together, a transitional recovery program for women recovering from substance abuse. The purpose of the program is to reduce the recidivism rate by creating a safe, stable, and supportive environment for women with HIV or at risk of HIV infection.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.