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

Foundation of Hope, Inc.

$5,000 / 2007 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward the purchase of furniture, appliances, and related expenses of a new Single Occupancy Residency for men recovering from alcohol and substance abuse.

Friends of Patterson Park

$15,000 / 2007 / Community Development
For general support of the maintenance of restored facilities and landscapes of Patterson Park. In addition to keeping the park facilities operational and well maintained, the program seeks to provide recreational opportunities, educational outreach, and cultural arts programming in partnership with other community organizations.

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.

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.

Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation

$5,000 / 2007 / Community Development
Toward a strategic planning initiative. With the completion of Stadium Place in sight, the corporation sees the need to establish the direction of the organization, setting priorities for the population served, and determining the extent of expansion.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.