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 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 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 your saved application or submit a report for a previously awarded grant.

Return to Your Application or Submit a Report

See Our Past Grants

Arundel Habitat for Humanity

$40,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward the renovation and sale of three houses for low-income families in the Brooklyn community of Baltimore City. Arundel Habitat follows the national model of supervising volunteer crews to perform the majority of work on each house, relying on donated materials, and providing mortgage financing to qualified purchasers who have donated 200 hours of volunteer work.

1000 Friends of Maryland

$180,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Two-year funding for support of Smarter Growth for Maryland initiatives, in collaboration with the Environment Maryland Research and Policy Center. Based on the goals and recommendations of the Reality Plus process, 1000 Friends will build constituencies for policy-making and legislative support to strengthen growth and land use practices. The goals are to direct development into areas designated for growth and to preserve the state’s agriculture, forest lands, and open spaces through strategic acquisitions and planned development.

1000 Friends of Maryland

$40,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For support of smart growth advocacy efforts and for the Reality Check Plus Program. Anticipating Maryland’s need to accommodate an additional 1.5 million people by 2030, 1000 Friends, in partnership with the Urban Land Institute Baltimore and the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education at the University of Maryland, undertook a statewide planning effort to develop a desired vision for future growth involving 100 leaders and residents on four regional leadership teams. The project aims to develop policy recommendations and strategies to manage future growth, while protecting environmentally sensitive areas.

University of Maryland Medical System Foundation.

$60,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward staffing costs of the Violence Intervention Project. The project will provide support services and community links to repeat victims of violence.

Transitioning Lives, Inc.

$39,955 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Two grants toward renovations for expansion of the Transitioning Lives Permanent Housing project to help meet the shortage of permanent housing for ex-offenders.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.