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

Baltimore City Public School System/Southern High School

$100,000 / 2002 / Education
For the creation of a venture capital fund to provide seed money for advanced student and teacher projects at the new Digital Harbor High School. These projects, chosen from the technology business plans submitted, will be led to the proposal-to-fund stage.

Baltimore City Public School System/Roland Park Elementary-Middle School

$5,000 / 2002 / Education
For continued support of staffing a string instrument music program.

Baltimore City Public School System/National Academic League

$119,780 / 2002 / Education
In support of the 2002-2003 National Academic League in 29 Baltimore City public middle schools. The league provides extracurricular interscholastic programming in a competition and media atmosphere associated with athletic events to encourage higher academic achievement.

Baltimore City Public School System/Midtown Academy

$80,640 / 2002 / Education
For costs related to the phase-in of the eighth grade at one of the schools created as part of Baltimore City’s New Schools Initiative. The final step of the school’s expansion to a K-8 school includes minor renovations, purchase of classroom furnishings and resource materials, professional development, curriculum planning and fine arts, music and physical education programming.

Baltimore City Public School System/Harbor City Learning Center

$97,000 / 2002 / Education
In support of the Advanced Studies Program, a dual enrollment college program in collaboration with Baltimore City Community College. The Advanced Studies Program will provide students at an alternative high school serving older students, most of whom had been expelled, failed or dropped out of the traditional high schools, with an opportunity to take college-level courses as well as college remedial courses with faculty from Baltimore City Community College.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.