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

Baltimore City Community College

$28,000 / 2002 / Education
For support of an initiative to improve outcomes of developmental education through the use of Academic Systems, a computer-based educational product designed to accelerate remedial learning. Academic Systems is a faculty mediated approach that combines traditional instructional methods with interactive multi-media software. The goals are to improve the pass and performance rates of a cohort of Baltimore City Community College students enrolled in pilot developmental courses and to increase the college’s retention rate.

Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development/Office of Homeless Services

$30,000 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
Matching grant to provide additional emergency winter shelter for homeless women and children in Baltimore City.

Baltimore City Health Department

$5,000 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
For support of the Fourth Annual Conference on Urgent Needs of Newly Released Inmates as 8,000 ex-offenders reenter the community each year in Baltimore City.

Baltimore City Public School System/Baltimore City College

$45,313 / 2002 / Education
For continued support of the 2002-2003 Speech and Debate Program that includes the enhancement of a full-time Mock Trial program.

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.