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 City Public School System/ National Academic League

$138,400 / 2004 / Education
In support of the 2004-2005 National Academic League in 30 Baltimore City middle schools. The league provides extracurricular interscholastic programming in an atmosphere of competition traditionally associated with athletic events.

Baltimore City Public School System/The Midtown Academy

$50,000 / 2004 / Education
To help cover costs of improvements at The Midtown Academy, operating as a K – 8 “new school,” formed by a grassroots coalition of parents and teachers in the Reservoir Hill and Bolton Hill neighborhoods. In addition to its basic curriculum, the school, enriched by private funding, offers art, music, Spanish, and physical education.

Baltimore City Public School System

$110,000 / 2004 / Education
For salaries and benefits of five Baltimore City Public School System teachers who had been furloughed in the spring of 2004 for budgetary reasons.

Baltimore Academies/National Academy Foundation School

$27,000 / 2004 / Education
In support of the design and installation of a new state-of-the-art National Academy Foundation kitchen to be used for the culinary portion of the Academy of Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality at its new location on the Digital Harbor Campus. This program provides an intensive four-year school-to-work curriculum that enables high school students to participate in internships.

Archdiocese of Baltimore

$30,000 / 2004 / Education
For continued support of tuition at area parochial schools for children of buyers of Patterson Park Community Development Corporation homes.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.