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 Answer, Inc.

$50,000 / 2007 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Three grants toward operating support and renovation costs of a faith-based residential substance abuse recovery program serving up to 44 clients in Baltimore City each year.

The Baltimore Station

$250,000 / 2007 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Challenge grant for capital expansion and renovation of a residential substance abuse program serving homeless men in South Baltimore. The new 10,000-square-foot facility will include living space for an additional 41 men, which will increase Baltimore Station’s shelter capacity to 91.

The Baraka School, Inc.

$23,843 / 2007 / Education
For expenses associated with maintaining the school campus in Kenya, East Africa, until the property is sold. The Baraka School, now closed, was a boarding school serving underachieving Baltimore City middle-school boys.

The Chesapeake Rivers Association

$15,000 / 2007 / Environment
Two grants in support of the Severn Riverkeeper Program’s efforts to protect, preserve, and restore the Severn River. Through daily shoreline and river monitoring, the Riverkeeper program protects vulnerable waterways by providing effective legal representation to stop inappropriate development and promotes enforcement by local and state authorities. By providing scientific evidence and effective legal representation to stop inappropriate shoreline development, the association was influential in the Maryland Critical Areas Commission decision to increase penalties for non-compliance and infractions from $500 to $10,000. Ongoing efforts are being made to install living shoreline in place of traditional riprap for erosion control.

The Chester River Association

$5,000 / 2007 / Environment
Toward a planning grant to serve as a catalyst for systemic change in the way environmental organizations address farming issues. The overall goal is to increase cooperation with farmers in the watershed and implement best management practices.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.