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

Public Justice Center, Inc.

$75,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For continued support of the Tenant Advocacy Project, established to help reduce evictions and to prevent tenant property from being placed in the street following an eviction. The center will build support for reform of city and state eviction procedures, provide legal representation to tenants facing eviction, and coordinate an educational media campaign.

Preservation Maryland.

$5,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For expenses related to the Diamond Jubilee annual meeting. The agenda of the meeting included ways and means to reinforce the importance of improving communities through preservation and revitalization.

People’s Homesteading Group

$125,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For support of Anchors of Hope, Phase IV, for development costs to create four affordable houses and four transitional apartments for sale and rent to low-income families in the Barclay-Midway neighborhood. The rehabilitation of these residential properties will help reduce the negative impact of existing vacancies in the community.

Patterson Park Community Development Corporation

$30,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For continued support of an initiative to clean streets and alleys in the Patterson Park community. This effort is intended to help eliminate trash and create a visually appealing, comfortable, and secure community in a 22-block area.

National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education.

$52,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Five-year funding for support of the Maryland Smart Growth Indicators’ Project. The center will develop a set of indicators to measure land use, growth, and development patterns in Maryland over a five-year period. The annual reports will provide policy makers with information to help measure the effect of Maryland’s Smart Growth policies.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.