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

Baltimore Development Corporation

$25,000 / 2004 / Community Development
Continuing support of administrative expenses of Maglev-Maryland, a program developed to support a magnetic levitation high-speed train. When fully operational, the train holds the potential to reduce travel time between Baltimore and Washington to less than 20 minutes.

Baltimore Development Corporation

$25,000 / 2004 / Community Development
For the development of a plan to establish a nonprofit entity charged with providing oversight and day-to-day management of the Inner Harbor.

Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc.

$25,000 / 2004 / Education
For expenses related to implementation of the Baltimore City Public School Chess Education Project, an after-school program for elementary school students. The goal of the project is to increase the number of after-school chess clubs in elementary schools by providing education materials and instructors to work with teacher-coaches, sponsoring chess activities, and encouraging children to attend competitive regional and national chess tournaments.

Baltimore Mental Health Systems, Inc.

$86,000 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
For the implementation of a pilot project designed by the Mental Health Policy Institute for Leadership and Training. The project provides mental health treatment to low-income people suffering from depression, and not currently accessing care through the public mental health system.

Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative/ Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$85,000 / 2004 / Community Development
For support of the collaborative Neighborhood Revitalization activities and for the Transit-Centered Community Development Initiative. The collaborative has been developed to help build local leadership and increase investment in six neighborhoods.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.