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

Greater Baltimore Tennis Patrons Association, Inc. .

$25,000 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
For the expansion of an after-school and summer tennis program for 300 at-risk children in the Barclay, Waverly, Coldstream, and Pen Lucy communities. The eight-week after-school program is being offered to 96 middle school students. It operates two hours a day, two days a week with one hour of instruction and play and one hour devoted to homework assistance and tutoring, and incorporates a mentoring curriculum. Coaches work with 24 underserved youth, selected on the basis of aptitude, effort, capability, and home support, at least three hours per week during the year.

Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc.

$100,000 / 2004 / Community Development
For general support of a partnership of banks, foundations, and government and community organizations committed to strengthening underserved neighborhoods. Benefits to the ten designated neighborhoods are expected to stabilize property values and improve quality of life.

Herring Run Watershed Association

$25,000 / 2004 / Environment
Toward staffing costs to increase local efforts to restore the Herring Run Watershed. The association has played a major role in environmental monitoring of illegal industrial dumps and sewage pipe leakages, and has advocated for stream cleanups, tree plantings, installations of rain gardens, and other bio-retention modifications in homes and schoolyards.

Holy Nativity and St. John’s Development Corporation

$250,000 / 2004 / Community Development
Toward construction costs of the Pimlico Road Arts and Community Center, to house Head Start, after-school programs, and a family support center. The center will offer parenting programs for families in the Lower Park Heights community.

Homes for America

$20,000 / 2004 / Community Development
For legal fees incurred in connection with the development of housing for families relocating from Baltimore City public housing into stable mixed-income communities in metropolitan Baltimore.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.