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?

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 for a Small Grant?

For first-time or returning applicants with grant requests of $10,000 or less. We accept and review small grant applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply for a small grant.

Start a Small Grant Application

Ready to Apply for a Regular Grant?

For returning applicants and those who have a verified fit with the Foundation’s priorities for requests greater than $10,000. Regular grant applications are reviewed at one of five Board meetings each year.

Start a Regular 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

Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations

$5,000 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
Toward the development of a policy paper on child support enforcement reform.

Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.

$274,235 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
For expansion of the project to address the needs of noncustodial parents whose child support obligations far exceed their ability to pay. By providing individual representation, Legal Aid has been able to identify recurrent issues that adversely affect noncustodial parents, such as driver’s license suspensions, reports to credit agencies and denial of access to child support records.

Koinonia Baptist Church

$30,000 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
Toward the purchase of a 15-passenger van to transport youth to and from the Neighborhood Evening Reporting program. An alternative to detaining youth in juvenile detention facilities, the program is designed to reduce recidivism by offering home-monitored youth computer skills training, conflict resolution and anger management training, tutoring, GED preparation and job readiness training.

Kennedy Krieger Institute

$125,000 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
For general support of programs serving children with neurological disabilities.

Johns Hopkins University/Urban Health Institute

$50,000 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
For an analysis of school health services currently being provided in the Baltimore City public schools and current billing practices for these services. The report will also make recommendations for ways to increase revenues to support and enhance school health services.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.