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?

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 for a Small Grant?

For first-time or returning applicants with grant requests of $10,000 or less. We accept and review small grant applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply for a small grant.

Start a Small Grant Application

Ready to Apply for a Regular Grant?

For returning applicants and those who have a verified fit with the Foundation’s priorities for requests greater than $10,000. Regular grant applications are reviewed at one of five Board meetings each year.

Start a Regular 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

Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc.

$25,000 / 2003 / Community Development
Toward expenses of the Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative, which will help fund the collaborative effort to strengthen participating Baltimore neighborhoods. Expenses funded include salary for a marketing coordinator to promote neighborhood reinvestment and to match homeowners and homebuyers to home improvement financing opportunities.

Baltimore Heritage, Inc.

$5,000 / 2003 / Community Development
For expenses related to workshops designed to encourage the use of historic rehabilitation tax credit incentives in Baltimore City’s historic districts.

Baltimore Efficiency & Economy Foundation, Inc.

$5,000 / 2003 / Community Development
For an evaluation of the Department of Recreation and Parks Aquatics Division’s management of Baltimore City swimming pools.

Baltimore Development Corporation

$25,000 / 2003 / Community Development
For administrative expenses of Maglev-Maryland, a program to support the development of a magnetic levitation high-speed train. When fully operational, the train will reduce travel time between Baltimore and Washington to less than 20 minutes.

Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development

$75,000 / 2003 / Community Development
Second-year funding for the Neighborhood Conservation Program, a community conservation initiative in the outer-ring neighborhoods such as Ashburton, Forest Park, Lauraville and Windsor Hills. The purpose of the project is to identify vacant properties within highly marketable neighborhoods and to determine whether current owners intend to reinvest, whether the properties are suitable for acquisition and rehabilitation, and whether abandoned properties should be demolished.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.