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

The African American Festival Foundation

$5,000 / 2006 / Arts
In support of the 2006 festival, showcasing and celebrating the history, culture, heritage, and arts of African Americans. The Festival attracts a local and national audience of more than 500,000 visitors.

West/Rhode Riverkeeper, Inc.

$10,000 / 2006 / Environment
For start-up costs for monitoring activities to clean up the West/Rhode River watershed by increasing the number of volunteers and expanding outreach activities. The riverkeeper will meet with state and local leaders to develop cooperative efforts, file complaints with state and county commissioners, testify on pollution issues, commission a study on the effectiveness of the Critical Area Act, and review approved variances.

South River Federation.

$5,000 / 2006 / Environment
For continued support of the Riverkeeper Program. The purpose of the program is to ensure that appropriate laws are being enforced, water quality monitored and tested for dissolved oxygen and bacteria, and county and state advocacy laws strengthened. Through volunteers, the program will undertake restoration projects, including creating oyster reefs and living shorelines.

St. Mary’s River Watershed Association

$5,000 / 2006 / Environment
Toward the cost of a demonstration project to test the potential of farmed, selectively bred, native oysters. An evaluation of the project will measure the improvement of water quality and biodiversity, and the extent of an increased harvest to help Maryland meet its goal of increasing the oyster biomass tenfold by 2010 from a 1994 baseline.

Eastern ShoreLand Conservancy

$30,000 / 2006 / Environment
For the preparation of the “State of the Shore Report,” documenting the effectiveness of land use planning as stipulated in the six-county Eastern Shore 2010 agreement. The report will incorporate recommendations for addressing shortfalls in an effort to support improved land-use awareness and practices.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.