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

Roland Park Library Initiative, Inc.

$100,000 / 2004 / Education
A challenge grant for the expansion and renovation of the Roland Park branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. The library provides resources and support for the students attending Roland Park Elementary/ Middle School.

Partnership For Learning

$30,000 / 2004 / Education
For the staffing of an education coordinator and the purchase of education materials for an initiative designed to reduce recidivism and increase academic outcomes of first-time juvenile offenders with learning difficulties. The partnership’s program provides literacy tutoring, mentoring and motivational services. The Piney Woods School, 90,690 Piney Woods, MS. To provide scholarships at a boarding school in Mississippi for selected, underachieving at-risk male students from Baltimore City for the 2004-2005 school year. The grant includes funding for a counselor to encourage positive attitudes, appropriate social behavior, and academic achievement.

Office of the Mayor

$25,000 / 2004 / Education
In support of the Believe in Our Schools Campaign. The focus of the campaign is to seek private funding partners to support facility improvements in Baltimore City public schools.

Office of the Mayor

$60,000 / 2004 / Education
Toward the Baltimore City Mayoral Fellowships for the summer of 2004. The purpose of the fellowships is to increase the number of talented graduate and undergraduate students who have an interest in public service to work in Baltimore City government.

KIPP Baltimore, Inc .

$100,000 / 2004 / Education
Toward operating expenses for the 2004-2005 school year at the KIPP Ujima Academy for fifth to eighth-grade students. KIPP offers an academically intensive college-preparatory middle school program as part of the Baltimore City Public School System’s New Schools Initiative. This academic model requires students to spend an additional two and a half hours a day at school, attend summer school, and enrichment activities on Saturdays.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.