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

1000 Friends of Maryland

$5,000 / 2002 / Environment
Toward expenses of a one-day conference, Smart Growth in Maryland: Looking Back, Looking Forward.

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.

Access Art, Inc.

$25,000 / 2002 / Arts
Two grants toward the renovation of a vacated branch library building to house an art gallery, studio, photography laboratory and graphic computer center for after-school art programs to serve at-risk youth in the Pigtown and Morrell Park neighborhoods. This initiative has been designed to deter anti-social behavior of disengaged youth.

Alternative Directions, Inc.

$7,140 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
For the purchase of a database program with capacity of tracking client demographics, outreach services received, referrals, contact with employers and program-related performance outcomes. The intent of the program is to reach non-custodial parents entering the prison system and provide them with child support services.

American Institute for Social Justice/ACORN

$95,000 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
For a comprehensive lead poisoning prevention program in the Park Heights area. The initiative allows for an increase in the number of children that can be tested, and a strengthening of abatement and legal enforcement efforts.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.