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

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 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 Homeless Services, Inc.

$35,431 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For research to support the implementation of the Housing First model in Baltimore City. In partnership with Health Care for the Homeless, the Housing First pilot project team has recruited the homeless from streets and parks, placed them in housing, and linked them to ongoing services. The outcomes of the pilot project will determine whether Housing First should be expanded as a viable strategy to help reduce homelessness.

Baltimore Homeless Services, Inc.

$5,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
To help underwrite the cost of the 2005 Baltimore Homeless Census.

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.