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

Catholic Charities.

$75,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For continued support of the Re-entry Partnership (REP) Initiative. REP is a voluntary ex-offender re-entry program that serves men leaving Maryland prisons and returning to certain communities in Baltimore City. REP provides intensive case management and wraparound services necessary for a successful transition back to the community.

Center for Watershed Protection, Inc.

$25,000 / 2006 / Environment
To develop a watershed collaboration involving the Baltimore Harbor Watershed Association, Herring Run Watershed Association, and the Jones Falls Watershed Association to create and implement comprehensive watershed management and sub-watershed action projects.

Chesapeake Climate Action Network

$30,000 / 2006 / Environment
For support of the Clean Cars for Maryland Campaign. The campaign supports public policies designed to put cleaner cars on the road in the near future and help reduce greenhouse gases.

Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity

$35,000 / 2006 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward the restoration of seven Chesapeake Habitat houses in the Patterson Park community for sale to low-income families. Chesapeake Habitat works to maintain affordable housing using the Habitat model of volunteer labor and “sweat equity.”

Chesapeake Rivers Association

$5,000 / 2006 / Environment
To fund the Riverkeeper Program, created to document the water quality of the Severn River. The program will determine the extent of deterioration and “dead zones” in order to encourage county and state governments to enforce environmental laws, and to allocate adequate resources to reverse the loss of healthy aquatic life.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.