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

Maryland Food Bank

$12,500 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For support of the Baltimore City School Pantry Program. 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.

Health Care for the Homeless

$5,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For the purchase of furniture and other household items for use by homeless persons moving from the streets and shelters into housing, through auspices of the Housing First Project.

Community-Built Playground, Inc.

$15,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
Toward construction costs of a playground for children in the former Memorial Stadium neighborhoods of Baltimore City. The goal is to engage neighborhood volunteers in designing and building a state-of-the-art, handicapped-accessible playground.

Communities of Care of Maryland, Inc.

$18,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For support of a recruitment campaign for families contemplating adoption in the Ednor Gardens/Waverly neighborhoods of Northeast Baltimore. Once prospective families are identified, they will receive the training required to become licensed caregivers, and support through the finalization phase and post-adoptive services.

Center for Promotion of Child Development Through Primary Care

$131,300 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of a pilot project testing the Child Health and Development Interactive System (CHADIS), a computerized interactive system created to diagnose and monitor psychosocial and developmental problems of at-risk three to 12-year-olds in Baltimore City. CHADIS is designed to improve delivery and access to treatment and resources for children with mental health disorders.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.