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

Vehicles for Change, Inc.

$83,000 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
Fourth-year funding of a transportation program to provide used reconditioned cars for 80 participants in the Affordable Housing Initiative Program and other low-income residents of Baltimore City who need a car to get to work.

Women’s Housing Coalition

$18,175 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
For start-up costs of the Wesley House Family Program, a long-term transitional housing facility that serves nine homeless families referred from emergency, transitional and substance abuse treatment programs.

Youth Enterprise Services

$75,000 / 2002 / Health and Human Services
Challenge grant for the purchase of a second facility for use as a residential treatment center for severely disturbed adolescents referred by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

1000 Friends of Maryland

$27,400 / 2001 / Environment
For the cost of developing a County Score Card, measuring efforts to abate sprawl, and publishing a guide to issues related to land-use legislation. This guide is being written for activists who are interested in familiarizing themselves with the political process and land use litigation.

Alternative Directions, Inc.

$35,000 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
Toward costs of staffing to assist incarcerated fathers file for modifications of child support payments.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.