Read our 2024 Annual Report

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

Baltimore City Health Department

$219,310 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
For support of ChildSightﾮ, a vision screening program for Baltimore City public middle school students for the 2000-2001 school year. The program, expanded to 41 schools, provides on-site refractive error eye examinations and eyeglasses to children who otherwise could not afford them.

Baltimore City Health Department

$258,400 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
For support of the continuation and evaluation of a comprehensive school-based pregnancy prevention program based on a case management model. Participants in the program are scheduled to meet regularly with case managers who determine appropriate activities, case by case, to meet the students’ individual needs.

Baltimore City Foundation

$50,000 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
In support of consultancies to undertake research to identify and develop core resources which will be critical to the Baltimore City administration’s workforce development initiative. The plan provides for linking workforce development and economic development efforts, evaluating how workforce funding has been accessed and used by federal, state and city agencies to benefit Baltimore citizens, and evaluating the effectiveness of the public and private workforce development provider network.

Alternative Directions, Inc.

$30,000 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
For salary, benefits, and related expenses of a staff person to assist 100 incarcerated fathers per month in filing for modifications of child support payments while serving time in Baltimore City jails and state prisons.

Advocates for Children and Youth

$65,000 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
To review and analyze the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Human Resources and Baltimore City Department of Social Services in areas of child welfare service delivery. The object of the study is to determine if families and children are getting the services they need, why the length of stay in foster homes has increased, and why the number of caseworkers has decreased.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.