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

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

$53,000 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
For general support and staffing of Maternity Center East, a women’s health care and family planning facility serving low-income residents of East Baltimore. The Center provides family planning, prenatal, obstetric and primary health care to approximately 3,000 patients who are uninsured or underinsured.

Jubilee Baltimore, Inc.

$20,000 / 2002 / Community Development
For staffing and operating costs to provide services to buyers and owners interested in securing loans and State and federal historic tax credits for purchase and rehabilitation of houses in Reservoir Hill. This initiative is intended to attract new buyers to the neighborhood and to increase the level of reinvestment in the neighborhood.

KIPP Baltimore, Inc.

$50,000 / 2002 / Education
Toward the establishment of a Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) Academy, a middle school (grades 5 to 8) based on high expectations for academic achievement and conduct, extended day, community leadership skill training, music training, mandatory enrichment weekend programs and summer school.

Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.

$193,208 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
Third-year funding for an initiative to meet the needs of noncustodial parents whose child support obligations exceed their ability to pay. By providing individual representation, Legal Aid has been able to identify recurring issues that adversely affect noncustodial parents, such as driver’s license suspensions, reports to credit agencies, and denial of access to child support records.

Light Street Housing Corporation

$30,000 / 2002 / Community Development
For community organizing and pre-development costs of negotiating with the Housing Authority to acquire and redevelop scattered-site public housing units in Sharp-Leadenhall.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.