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

Planned Parenthood of Maryland, Inc.

$94,050 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
Two-year funding for support of the Latino Outreach Program. The grant will provide for two full-time bilingual (Spanish/English) staff members to provide reproductive health care, family-planning services, and education programs for sexually active females. It is hoped that the program will reduce the number of teen and out-of-wedlock births.

Preservation Maryland

$5,000 / 2005 / Community Development
In support of the 2005 National Main Streets Conference. The conference will highlight Baltimore Main Streets as a successful urban program, using the Hippodrome Theater and the surrounding redeveloped area as an example. Attendees will learn how to identify, evaluate, preserve, protect, and interpret historic districts, sites, structures, cultural landscapes, and heritage areas.

Prisoners Aid Association of Maryland, Inc.

$56,490 / 2005 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
For interim operating costs of the Female Transitional House and the Shelter Plus Care programs. The Prisoners Aid Association of Maryland provides a variety of supportive services for ex-offenders and homeless individuals in a holistic approach to help them become productive members of the community.

Public Justice Center, Inc.

$95,000 / 2005 / Community Development
For continued support of the Tenant Advocacy Project, an effort to reduce evictions and help eliminate the practice of allowing tenant belongings to be placed on the curb. The Center will focus on strengthening the coalition by providing research, legislative proposals, testimony, legal representation, and media support.

Public Justice Center, Inc.

$5,000 / 2005 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of Medicaid Matters! Maryland, a coalition committed to ensure and expand access to the public health system for 700,000 children, disabled adults, seniors, and low-income Maryland residents.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.