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

Jubilee Baltimore, Inc.

$50,000 / 2005 / Community Development
In support of a pilot partnership between Jubilee Baltimore and Baltimore Heritage, established to provide community outreach and technical rehabilitation assistance to homeowners and buyers in the Marble Hill, Station North, and Hollins Market neighborhoods. While Baltimore Heritage provides small group workshops on the historic renovation process and facilitates access to state and city historic tax benefits, Jubilee Baltimore will offer a full program of renovation assistance, developing the scope of work, finding a contractor, overseeing the construction process, and helping to obtain financing.

Learning, Inc.

$50,000 / 2005 / Education
For continued support of The Learning Cooperative, a dropout recovery/prevention program for at-risk Baltimore City middle school students from families living with drug/alcohol problems, physical or emotional abuse, and poverty. The 30-hour-per-week program offers academic course work, job-skills training, and conflict-resolution workshops.

Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.

$100,000 / 2005 / Workforce Development
Sixth-year funding of the Child Support/Barriers to Employment Project, an initiative designed to address the financial needs of noncustodial parents with child support obligations. The program provides individual representation to at least 200 noncustodial parents, addressing systemic problems within the child support enforcement system.

Live Baltimore Home Center

$25,000 / 2005 / Community Development
For support of Live Baltimore’s House Auction Project. Intended to promote the Station North neighborhood, the project calls for the conversion of a vacant house into a showcase home, and marketing it before putting it up for auction. The goal is to encourage redevelopment and investment.

Macedonia Baptist Church

$5,000 / 2005 / Education
Second-year funding for the 2005 Summer Learning Center, a six-week program of math and reading instruction, field trips, and meals for 45 children ages five to 12 from the Sandtown-Winchester community. The program has been designed to prevent learning loss over the summer vacation.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.