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

BioTechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc.

$50,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of a biotechnology laboratory training program for disadvantaged Baltimore City high school graduates. The program prepares the graduates for positions as bioscience technicians in various biotechnical companies/laboratories. The Institute also designs specialized training programs for existing entry-level laboratory workers in client-specific skills and procedures, affording the workers the opportunity for advancement.

Center for Applied Research and Technical Assistance, Inc. (CARTA)

$35,859 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
To fund a study, “Identifying Programmatic and Collaborative Strategies to Reduce Teen Childbearing: A Blueprint for Change for Baltimore City.” The study will document practices in teen pregnancy prevention in other cities, and will undertake to develop a strategic plan to improve the quality and delivery of teen pregnancy prevention services.

Center for Poverty Solutions

$50,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For expansion of the Baltimore City Public School Pantry Program. The goal is to supplement families’ food budgets while at the same time encouraging parents to take an active role in their children’s education. In exchange for volunteering in the schools, parents are eligible to attend classes on nutrition, budgeting, and economic meal planning, and to receive free food once a month.

Center for Watershed Protection

$50,000 / 2003 / Environment
For continued support of the Builders of the Bay program, designed to convene a series of county roundtable task forces. These roundtables investigate existing building codes and ordinances in their respective counties and make recommendations to their planning commissions, to ensure that each county’s building codes are environmentally sensitive and economically feasible.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

$5,000 / 2003 / Environment
In support of the 2004 Environmental Legislative Summit.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.