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 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.

Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

$9,500 / 2002 / Other
For 2002 membership dues.

Youth Enterprise Services

$75,000 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
Challenge grant for the purchase of a second facility for use as a residential treatment center for severely disturbed adolescents referred by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The YANA Project

$60,610 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
Toward staffing costs of a social worker/court monitor to work with women and girls engaged in prostitution. The YANA model offers a continuum of services from street outreach to drop-in services, counseling, and case management with referrals to medical services. Participants who complete the 90-day program with no new arrests will have charges dropped.

Women’s Housing Coalition

$18,175 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
For start-up costs of the Wesley House Family Program, a long-term transitional housing facility that serves nine homeless families referred from emergency, transitional and substance abuse treatment programs.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.