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

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Maryland

$200,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Regional Equity in Housing Project. The project will provide thousands of families with the opportunity to move from inner-city Baltimore to communities that offer greater educational opportunity, employment, housing, and safety. Efforts will be made to reduce regulatory barriers that undermine the ability of low-income families to move into communities of opportunity.

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Maryland (ACLU)

$50,000 / 2005 / Education
For continued support of the Baltimore City Education Reform Project, established to ensure that schools serving disadvantaged students receive equitable funding. The project aims to ensure that increased funding and management reform continues, particularly in Baltimore City; that academic improvements are made in Baltimore City classrooms; and that ACLU continues to represent the best interests of the students.

American Farmland Trust

$50,000 / 2005 / Environment
For continued support of activities designed to ensure the success of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation program. In preparation for the Governor’s Forum on Agriculture in February 2006, the American Farmland Trust facilitated eight sessions with representatives from farming communities to address issues facing Maryland farmers: profitability, land preservation, protection to ensure well-managed agricultural land, and education for the next generation of farmers.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$7,500 / 2005 / Education
For staffing of the Education Funders Affinity Group, designed to enable Baltimore area grantmakers to learn about worthy education initiatives and school reform efforts, locally and nationally.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$7,500 / 2005 / Other
For 2005 membership dues.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.