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

CollegeBound Foundation, Inc.

$173,966 / 2006 / Education
Two-year funding for support of the College Retention Project for Last Dollar Grant program recipients at nine participating Maryland colleges. Working with key individuals on each campus, the advisor will provide one-on-one support for students, including course selection, learning assistance, and financial aid. The goal is to increase the graduation rate of the Last Dollar Grant recipients.

Children’s Scholarship Fund

$25,000 / 2006 / Education
To provide tuition assistance for children of low-income families to attend parochial or private schools in Baltimore City. By offering four-year partial tuition grants, the Children’s Scholarship Fund enables children to attend schools of their choice.

Boys’ Latin School of Maryland

$20,000 / 2006 / Education
To provide the opportunity for a former Baraka School student to attend a private school.

The Baraka School, Inc.

$49,645 / 2006 / Education
For expenses associated with maintaining the school’s property in Kenya, East Africa. The Baraka School, now closed, was a boarding school serving underachieving Baltimore City middle school boys.

Baltimore Urban Debate League

$20,000 / 2006 / Education
For the development and implementation of a full-scale in-house monitoring and evaluation system to track the league’s ability to influence student outcomes. The study will document student achievement in debate, GPAs, attendance, interest in academic pursuits, incidence of negative behaviors, number of college applications and admissions, literacy, and critical thinking skills during the 2006-2007 school year. Results will be published in summer 2007.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.