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 Mental Health Systems

$10,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For support of the Mental Health Policy Institute for Leadership and Training, designed to develop a plan for a systemic model focusing on access to mental health care for low-income persons.

Baltimore Police Foundation

$89,120 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For the purchase and implementation of Employee Stat Early Warning System Its state-of-the-art computerized performance analysis system makes possible rapid and effective deployment of police personnel.

Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation

$30,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For support of the Patterson Park Youth Programs, including basketball and football leagues, a reading club, an art club and a youth employment project.

Baraka School, Inc.

$143,900 / 2003 / Education
For expenses to phase out a boarding school for 40 at-risk underachieving Baltimore City middle school students. The school, located in Kenya, offered a nine-month residential academic program Baraka graduates will continue to be monitored through high school graduation.

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.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.