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

Core Knowledge Foundation

$123,950 / 2005 / Education
For continued implementation of the five-year demonstration project of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence in all Baltimore County Head Start Centers. The professional development and provision of resource and training materials in literacy, math, science, social skills, music, and art are intended to improve the quality of students’ achievement and increase the percentage of Head Start students deemed ready for kindergarten.

Coppin State University

$50,000 / 2005 / Education
For continued support of the Talented Ten Mentoring Program for at-risk African-American males attending Rosemont Elementary School, Lemmel Middle School, and Frederick Douglass High School. The program offers mentoring, tutoring, summer academic enrichment, field trips, and exposure to cultural events for students who demonstrate a high potential for academic success, but who have encountered social, personal, or financial barriers.

Community Law In Action, Inc.

$70,000 / 2005 / Education
For support of the expansion of Lemmel Academy, an alternative school setting for 150 chronically disruptive middle school students. Each student will have an individualized plan to help build academic, social, and career skills, with an emphasis on communication. The goal of the program is to decrease the number of out-of-school suspensions and the eighth-grade dropout rate.

The Baraka School, Inc.

$22,520 / 2005 / Education
For expenses associated with maintaining the school property in Kenya, East Africa. The Baraka School, now closed, was a boarding school serving underachieving Baltimore City middle school boys.

Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc.

$26,170 / 2005 / Education
For expenses related to the 2005-2006 Baltimore City Public School System Chess Education Project, an after-school program serving elementary school students in 30 schools. The long-term strategy is designed to increase the number of after-school chess clubs, provide chess instruction to teachers and coaches, sponsor chess activities in the community, and sponsor Baltimore students at competitive regional and national tournaments.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.