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

Live Baltimore Home Center

$30,000 / 2004 / Community Development
For continued support of marketing activities to promote the benefits of living in Baltimore City. The center provides information on its Web site, including neighborhood profiles, buyers’ incentive programs, and benefits of city living. The overall goals of these efforts are to reverse the loss of population, and increase Baltimore City’s tax base.

Maryland Art Place

$40,000 / 2004 / Community Development
For renovation costs, including replacement of the HVAC system and refurbishment of the elevator in the building owned by Maryland Art Place at 218 West Saratoga Street. The building houses two nonprofits: Citizens Planning and Housing Association and the Maryland Center for Arts and Technology.

Maryland Environmental Service

$25,000 / 2004 / Environment
For the production, installation, and monitoring of Reef Balls (artificial reefs) as part of the Department of Natural Resources’ Artificial Reef Project. The program will help restore degraded or damaged natural reefs that are home to oysters and fish in the Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland Food Bank

$100,000 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
Toward capital expenditures related to the renovation of an 87,000 square-foot warehouse to be used as the headquarters of Maryland’s redistribution center of surplus and reusable food. The food is donated by the food industry to more than 900 community food providers statewide, including soup kitchens, food pantries, emergency shelters, and school pantries. It is expected that the food bank will be able to increase the amount of food distributed by 30 percent within three years.

Maryland Society for Sight

$19,970 / 2004 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Mobile Eye Care for the Homeless Expansion Program. The program’s van visits five locations each month and provides free eye examinations and glasses.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.