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 City Public School System/Roland Park Elementary/Middle School

$5,000 / 2003 / Education
For support of the Write Place Writing Center, a writing and arts program, for the 2003-2004 school year.

Baltimore Curriculum Project, Inc.

$578,600 / 2003 / Education
For the implementation of the Baltimore Curriculum Project for the 2003-2004 school year. The project provides planning and management oversight of four Baltimore City public schools as part of the New Schools Initiative, offers a combination of Direct Instruction and Core Knowledge curricula and serves as an incubator for pilot strategies.

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 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 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.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.