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

Partnership for Learning

$30,000 / 2005 / Education
For support of an education-based juvenile program for first-time offenders experiencing learning difficulties. The initiative, designed to reduce recidivism and increase academic outcomes, provides tutoring and mentoring.

Patrick Allison House

$22,000 / 2005 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Toward operating costs of a structured therapeutic transitional housing program serving ex-offenders in Baltimore City facing re-entry problems of housing, drug treatment, and employment. The program offers a safe place to live, individual and group counseling, access to health care services, job search assistance, and life-skills training.

Patterson Park Community Development Corporation

$20,000 / 2005 / Community Development
To fund the cleaning of streets and alleys in a 22-block area of the Patterson Park community. This effort is designed to help eliminate trash and create a visually appealing, comfortable, and secure environment.

Paul’s Place, Inc.

$150,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
Toward improvements to the first and second floors and elevator, and for the purchase of furnishings, equipment, and playground equipment for a community outreach center serving poor and marginalized residents of Pigtown.

Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

$20,000 / 2005 / Education
Continued support of the Music Teacher Mentoring Program for newly hired Baltimore City public elementary and middle school teachers for the 2005-2006 school year. The weekly program has been designed to upgrade classroom techniques and strategies by providing demonstrations, workshops, videotaping, and coaching. The purpose of the program is to support newly hired teachers by implementing enhanced music curricula that meet state and national standards, and to increase the retention rate of music teachers.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.