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

Earthome Productions, Inc.

$11,500 / 2001 / Environment
Three grants for expenses related to production, pre-screening and symposia on “The Next Industrial Revolution,” a treatise on sustainable economic, environmental and social responsibility.

The Conservation Fund

$150,000 / 2001 / Environment
Two-year grant to provide technical assistance to local county officials and land trusts to facilitate Maryland’s Green Print and Legacy Programs. The Fund will also produce and distribute “Better Models for Development in Maryland” as an educational tool to encourage local officials to take more strategic approaches to land conservation in Maryland.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

$170,000 / 2001 / Environment
For costs related to a rewrite of Turning the Tide, a book on the current state of the Chesapeake Bay and the outlook for its recovery. An interactive website will also be developed to accompany the publication.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

$5,000 / 2001 / Environment
For support of the 2002 Environmental Legislative Summit.

Center for Watershed Protection

$25,000 / 2001 / Environment
To support the Builders of the Bay program, designed to launch a series of local roundtable task forces. These task forces will investigate existing building codes and ordinances and make recommendations to local county planning commissions designed to make building codes environmentally sensitive and economically feasible.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.