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

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.

Johns Hopkins University/ Center for Social Organization of Schools

$10,320 / 2007 / Education
Third-year funding for an evaluation of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Southwestern High School. By providing periodic reports of progress, this study will help to determine whether EOP as a strategy, aimed at increasing graduation rates, warrants expansion in Baltimore City public schools.

Johns Hopkins University/Environmental Sciences and Policy Programs

$43,328 / 2007 / Community Development
For support of Indicators for Urban Sustainability in Watershed 263 in West Baltimore. The project will measure trends in aspects of environmental, economic, and social characteristics related to planned restoration projects in Watershed 263, a systematic and holistic sustainability project. The project includes tree planting, clearing and greening of vacant lots, reducing litter, cleaning streets and alleys, creating community gardens, improving city parks, greening schoolyards, increasing recycling, and supporting community stewardship.

Johns Hopkins University/Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies

$5,000 / 2007 / Education
For the 2007 Abell Foundation Award in Urban Policy given to an undergraduate for researching and writing a report identifying and recommending a solution to a quality-of-life issue in urban life.

Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute

$71,781 / 2007 / Health and Human Services
For the development and evaluation of the Urban eClinic Project, an electronic system created to improve health care in an urban setting.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.