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

Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

$20,000 / 2005 / Education
Continued support of the Music Teacher Mentoring Program for newly hired Baltimore City public elementary and middle school teachers for the 2005-2006 school year. The weekly program has been designed to upgrade classroom techniques and strategies by providing demonstrations, workshops, videotaping, and coaching. The purpose of the program is to support newly hired teachers by implementing enhanced music curricula that meet state and national standards, and to increase the retention rate of music teachers.

Partnership for Learning

$30,000 / 2005 / Education
For support of an education-based juvenile program for first-time offenders experiencing learning difficulties. The initiative, designed to reduce recidivism and increase academic outcomes, provides tutoring and mentoring.

Office of the Mayor

$65,000 / 2005 / Education
For support of the Baltimore City Mayoral Fellowships, Summer 2005. The fellowships are designed to increase the number of talented graduate and undergraduate students working in Baltimore City government.

The New Teacher Project

$125,000 / 2005 / Education
For support of the Baltimore Model School Staffing Project, established to ensure early recruitment of qualified teachers in the city’s lowest performing schools. By working closely with the Baltimore City Public School System’s Department of Human Resources and individual school principals, the New Teacher Project will help schools learn of retirements and resignations in advance, connect new candidates with lowest performing schools, maximize schools’ interviewing/selection skills, and operate with a policy of holding schools accountable for hiring.

New Leaders for New Schools

$110,000 / 2005 / Education
For support of the New Leaders-Baltimore program, designed to recruit principals for Baltimore City public schools. New Leaders will train eight to ten prospective principals during six weeks of course work at the Summer Foundations Institute. Each will participate in a year-long, full-time residency, serving alongside a mentor principal. Once placed as a principal, each participant will receive two years of coaching and support.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.