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

I Can

$5,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For funds to replace a furnace in an emergency shelter for homeless men and a convalescent care unit for medically fragile men referred by Health Care for the Homeless.

I Say No 2

$37,500 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For the acquisition of a vacant property to serve as faith-based transitional housing for 16 addicted women and their children in the Westport/Cherry Hill neighborhoods. The program assists participants with job searches and addresses their health and legal issues, while encouraging them to attend counseling and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, adhere to household rules and perform community chores.

Institute of Notre Dame

$20,000 / 2003 / Education
Toward an endowment to provide scholarships and financial aid.

Job Opportunities Task Force

$30,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
For continued support to expand educational experiences for eligible prison inmates, establish linkages with employers receptive to hiring ex-offenders, advocate for dropout prevention strategies and recovery programs in non-traditional educational settings, and urge the simplification of forms of all income support programs, such as Medicaid and food stamps.

Johns Hopkins University Institute for Policy Studies

$5,000 / 2003 / Community Development
For the completion of a study on the current rental housing market in Baltimore City.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.