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

Baltimore Urban Debate League

$20,000 / 2006 / Education
For the development and implementation of a full-scale in-house monitoring and evaluation system to track the league’s ability to influence student outcomes. The study will document student achievement in debate, GPAs, attendance, interest in academic pursuits, incidence of negative behaviors, number of college applications and admissions, literacy, and critical thinking skills during the 2006-2007 school year. Results will be published in summer 2007.

Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc.

$35,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For continued support of program expenses for residential and commercial revitalization efforts, including expansion of the Foreclosure Prevention Initiative. The purpose of this project is to provide counseling sessions and homeowner workshops to assist victims or potential victims of predatory lending. The Belair-Edison Neighborhoods initiative seeks to reduce incidences of foreclosures by developing a preferred realtor program, and by linking qualified buyers to Healthy Neighborhoods loan products.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland, Inc.

$100,000 / 2006 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Amachi mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents. The program aims to match at least 400 children of incarcerated parents with adult mentors, provide professional case management support, and engage incarcerated parents in the mentoring process to facilitate a comfortable transition after release.

BioTechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc.

$47,575 / 2006 / Workforce Development
In support of BioSTART, a 12-week bridge program introducing Baltimore residents to bioscience terminology, employment possibilities, laboratory procedures, and laboratory math. Upon successful completion, students move to the nine-week laboratory associates class, followed by three-week paid internships. The internships qualify the applicants for entry-level laboratory positions with average starting wages of $12 per hour, plus benefits.

Boys’ Latin School of Maryland

$20,000 / 2006 / Education
To provide the opportunity for a former Baraka School student to attend a private school.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.