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

Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation

$35,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For the establishment of the BWI Employment, Training and Transportation Center. The purpose of the center is to support the Baltimore Washington International (BWI) business community as it works to improve the transportation system, and to promote economic development and workforce opportunities in the BWI vicinity.

Art with a Heart

$9,000 / 2006 / Workforce Development
For support of the Summer Jobcorps program, a visual arts program for ten at-risk youth, ages 14 to 21, living in the Rose Street neighborhood. Students will meet five days a week for four weeks to create art work, such as mosaics and decoupage furniture, to display and market at the 2006 Artscape.

Arundel Habitat for Humanity

$40,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward the renovation and sale of three houses for low-income families in the Brooklyn community of Baltimore City. Arundel Habitat follows the national model of supervising volunteer crews to perform the majority of work on each house, relying on donated materials, and providing mortgage financing to qualified purchasers who have donated 200 hours of volunteer work.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$9,000 / 2006 / Other
For 2006 membership dues.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$35,000 / 2006 / Education
For support of the Charter Schools Technical Assistance Project. The purpose of the project is to coordinate and deliver advocacy and technical assistance to help ensure the success of the Baltimore City charter schools. Through the creation of an active network of charter school leaders, the project will foster effective governance for charter schools, develop funding sources, strengthen instructional delivery systems for special education students, and put in place long-range facilities management plans.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.