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?

First-time applicants with grant requests greater than $10,000 should reach out to an Abell staff member to discuss their idea or submit a short letter of inquiry prior to submitting a regular grant application.

Contact Us or Email Us an LOI

Ready to Apply for a Small Grant?

For first-time or returning applicants with grant requests of $10,000 or less. We accept and review small grant applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply for a small grant.

Start a Small Grant Application

Ready to Apply for a Regular Grant?

For returning applicants and those who have a verified fit with the Foundation’s priorities for requests greater than $10,000. Regular grant applications are reviewed at one of five Board meetings each year.

Start a Regular Grant Application

Returning to a Saved Application or Submitting a Report?

Log into the grant portal below to return to a saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant. Report forms can be found under the “Requirements” tab.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

VH1 Save the Music Foundation

$25,000 / 2005 / Education
For the purchase of musical instruments in support of Be Instrumental, an initiative to restore musical instrumental programs in 15 Baltimore City public elementary and middle schools.

Teach For America-Baltimore

$100,000 / 2005 / Education
For continuation of an initiative to recruit, select, train, and build a network for Teach For America corps members in Baltimore City public schools. These recent college graduates make a two-year commitment and are offered the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching at the Johns Hopkins University.

Stocks in the Future Foundation, Inc.

$5,000 / 2005 / Education
For a study of absenteeism and the Stocks in the Future program, a pilot program targeting at-risk students, providing incentives designed to improve school performance. Starting in middle school, students learn fundamentals of the stock market and earn monetary rewards for improved grades and attendance.

Sisters Academy of Baltimore

$40,000 / 2005 / Education
Second-year support toward 2005-2006 operating costs of a facility to house the Sisters Academy, a parochial middle school in Southwest Baltimore for at-risk adolescent girls. The academy offers small classes and an extended day to help ensure that all of the 42 students advance at least one grade level in all areas of the academic curriculum.

The Piney Woods School

$91,800 / 2005 / Education
For continuing support to provide scholarships at a boarding school in Mississippi for selected underachieving, at-risk male students from Baltimore City for the 2005-2006 school year. The grant includes funding for a counselor to encourage positive attitudes, appropriate social behavior, and academic achievement.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.