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

University of Maryland Baltimore County

$112,356 / 2006 / Education
For a four-year evaluation of the Core Knowledge Preschool Program in Baltimore City’s Southeast Community Organization (SECO) Head Start Centers. The purpose is to assess the progress of children attending the Core Knowledge program for two consecutive years, as compared to those attending for one year, in academic readiness, social skill competencies, and language development.

Teach For America-Baltimore

$100,000 / 2006 / Education
For continuation of an initiative to recruit, train, and support 85 to 100 Teach For America corps members teaching in Baltimore City public schools. These recent college graduates make a two-year commitment and are offered the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in teaching at the Johns Hopkins University.

Stadium School Youth Dreamers, Inc.

$25,000 / 2006 / Education
Toward renovation costs of 1430 Carswell Street to be used as a youth-run, after-school youth center in the Waverly/Coldstream-Homestead- Montebello communities. The center will provide a safe place for children to take enrichment classes after school, to be tutored, and build positive relationships with adults in the neighborhood.

The SEED Foundation

$200,000 / 2006 / Education
Toward the establishment of a boarding school for at-risk youth in Baltimore City. The two-year planning effort will include the creation of a board of directors, the launching of a capital campaign, identification and securing of a site, completion of design and construction of a campus, hiring of school leadership and staff, and recruitment of students.

The Piney Woods School

$88,875 / 2006 / Education
To provide scholarships for selected underachieving, at-risk, male Baltimore City students to attend a boarding school in Mississippi for the 2006-2007 school year. The grant includes funding for a resident counselor to encourage positive attitudes, appropriate social behaviors, and academic achievement.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.