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

Baltimore Efficiency & Economy Foundation, Inc.

$5,000 / 2005 / Community Development
Seed funding for the Cooperative Administrative Services Initiative, designed to facilitate efforts by local governments in the Baltimore metropolitan area to share resources. By reviewing the best practices of cooperative efforts around the country, the participating subdivisions will be in a better position to determine how they can reduce costs.

Baltimore Development Corporation

$25,000 / 2005 / Community Development
Continuing support of administrative expenses for Maglev-Maryland, a program to develop a magnetic levitation high-speed train between Baltimore and Washington. When fully operational, the train could reduce the travel time between the two cities to less than 20 minutes.

Baltimore ACORN/ American Institute for Social Justice

$20,000 / 2005 / Community Development
To conduct an analysis of new data available under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. The report will detail lending patterns, summarize findings, and offer recommendations to consumers, the lending industry, and local officials. The purpose of the report is to provide information that stimulates and expands access to financing in minority and low-income communities with the long-range goals of improving housing opportunities for minorities and stabilizing communities.

Museum of Ceramic Art

$30,000 / 2005 / Arts
For support of in-school and after-school ceramic art programs in 29 Baltimore City public middle schools for the 2005-2006 school year. Developed in context with the core subjects and Maryland State Content Standards, the program is used to enhance students’ reading, writing, and creative skills. The nine-month program provides equipment, supplies, and teacher stipends, along with professional training workshops, coaching, and monthly opportunities for teacher networking, and culminates with a year-end exhibit of student work and installation of a mural in a public setting.

Morgan State University

$5,000 / 2005 / Arts
For support of the Youth Art Institute’s three, two-week summer sessions to serve disadvantaged youth, ages five through 14. In daily workshops, the children explore the collections at Morgan State University’s James E. Lewis Museum of Art, and then are challenged to create works of art inspired by the collection.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.