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

University of Maryland Baltimore County/The Shriver Center

$149,936 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
For support of the CLEARCorps home repair and education program for the prevention of childhood lead poisoning in the Park Heights neighborhood. The workers are AmeriCorps members who are trained in construction to make home repairs designed to reduce the lead hazards and to provide health education to families in distressed neighborhoods.

TuTTie’s Place

$75,000 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
Toward renovation of a house providing residential services for abused and neglected adolescent boys in foster care.

Sylvan Beach Foundation, Inc.

$111,000 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
For the expansion of the Sylvan Beach Cafe and Ice Cream Company, set up as an entrepreneurial endeavor to provide employment for ex-offenders. Modeled after the Delancy Street Foundation in San Francisco that provides career and ownership opportunities, the Sylvan Beach Foundation operates on the principles of project-based learning, high expectations, earned responsibility and privileges, peer leadership and community living.

A Step Forward, Inc./Temple Hope House, Inc.

$25,000 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
Seed funding of an initiative to provide transitional housing and drug treatment programs to adults in Baltimore City, with a focus on the returning ex-offender.

The Shepherd’s Clinic

$50,000 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
For continued funding of operating costs to provide primary medical and dental care to uninsured persons in Baltimore City.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.