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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

See Our Past Grants

Johns Hopkins University/ Center for Social Organization of Schools

$8,000 / 2007 / Education
For an evaluation, “The KIPP Middle School in the Baltimore City Public School System, 2002 to 2006.” The focus of the analysis is to compare KIPP students with other Baltimore City public middle school students, to determine if pre-existing differences might explain higher academic achievement levels among KIPP students.

Institute for Christian & Jewish Studies (ICJS)

$5,000 / 2007 / Education
Toward consulting fees in support of long-range planning, and to conduct independent evaluation in establishing models of greater interfaith understanding of ICJS programs aimed at increasing the organization’s effectiveness.

The Ingenuity Project

$390,000 / 2007 / Education
For support of the 2007-2008 Ingenuity Project, an intensive math, science, and research curriculum for BCPSS elementary, middle, and high school students. Launched in 1994 as a gifted and talented program, Ingenuity Project attracts students who receive superior math and science instruction and maintain high levels of student achievement, leading to acceptances into and substantial scholarships from highly selective colleges and universities.

Gilman School

$5,000 / 2007 / Education
For continued support of the 2007 Baltimore Independent School Learning Camp. The four-week summer camp offers 45 academically promising Baltimore City public school students entering third, fourth, and fifth grades the opportunity to participate in Gilman School’s learning environment. It provides individualized classes in language arts, geography, science, mathematics, and a foreign language as well as cultural and recreational activities. The goal is to reduce the loss of academic skills often suffered by the Baltimore City Public School System’s at-risk students during summer break by focusing on reading, writing, and math skills.

Fund for Educational Excellence

$75,500 / 2007 / Education
For expansion of the Math Works initiative, a professional training program for second-grade through seventh-grade teachers in Baltimore City public schools to help close the achievement gap. By using electronic textbooks and hosting best practices forums, teacher discussion and workshop, the program aspires to have 90 percent of Math Works schools achieve math scores at proficiency levels as determined by the State of Maryland.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.