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

Maryland Society for Sight

$19,900 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Mobile Eye Care for the Homeless Expansion Program. The program’s van visits seven locations each month. In an effort to prevent loss of vision and blindness through early detection and education, the staff provides eye examinations and glasses to more than 500 homeless and indigent people in Baltimore City each year.

Maryland Food Bank

$50,000 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
For support of the School Pantry Program in 45 to 50 Baltimore City public schools. In exchange for volunteering in the schools, parents are eligible to attend classes on nutrition, budgeting, and meal planning, and to receive free food once a month.

Liberty Learning Center/ Holy Lamb Ministries, Inc.

$30,000 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
Start-up costs for a learning center serving children from low-income families in East Baltimore. The center is licensed to serve 30 children from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., five days a week. The after-school program provides computer tutorials, academic and faith-based instruction, as well as hot meals provided by the Maryland Food Bank.

Koinonia Baptist Church

$55,000 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
Two grants for the purchase of a 15-passenger mini-bus and continued support of Project Safe Haven, providing after-school and summer programs for children in the Harwood, East Baltimore/Barclay, and Gardenville communities.

Johns Hopkins University/ Bloomberg School of Public Health

$35,000 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
In support of the Baltimore Initiative, to develop a plan designed to improve life circumstances for disadvantaged and at-risk youth of East Baltimore, and to address related problems of drugs, crime, education, and joblessness. After profiling the population and reviewing existing programs at work in the community, the Baltimore Initiative’s recommendations will be presented to Baltimore leadership for review and implementation.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.