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

Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.

$150,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
Fourth-year funding for an initiative to address financial needs of non-custodial parents burdened with child support obligations. The program provides individual representation to more than 200 non-custodial parents, addressing systemic problems with the child support enforcement system through litigation. The program also works with the Child Support Enforcement Administration to improve statewide child support policy and to educate service providers and noncustodial parents.

Live Baltimore Home Center

$40,000 / 2003 / Community Development
To underwrite the costs of a program designed to attract new homebuyers and renters to Baltimore City. The Center provides neighborhood profiles and tours to prospective residents, creates a semi-annual City Living Resource Guide, maintains an extensive website, works with realtors to promote City and State homebuyer incentives, and participates in home buying outreach.

Love Center for Women and Children

$5,000 / 2003 / Health and Human Services
Emergency funding for operating costs of a residential facility for homeless addicted women and their children.

Maryland Environment Trust

$5,000 / 2003 / Environment
In support of an initiative to secure donated voluntary easements as an alternative strategy to land acquisition.

Maryland Public Interest Research Foundation

$38,500 / 2003 / Environment
For continued funding of the Preventable Poisons Project, an initiative to reduce mercury and dioxin pollution from medical waste incinerators in Maryland.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.