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

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.

Citizens Planning and Housing Association

$17,000 / 2001 / Community Development
Two grants for the Campaign for Regional Solutions, toward the development of policies designed to break up concentrations of poverty in the Baltimore region.

Civil Justice, Inc.

$60,000 / 2001 / Community Development
To provide legal services to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers in Baltimore City in an effort to prevent unscrupulous and illegal real estate transactions known as “flipping.”

Core Knowledge Foundation

$140,750 / 2001 / Education
Planning grant to fund the search for a project director, and for creation of prototypes and related materials for the language arts lesson plans focused on vocabulary. The goal of this project is to reduce the literacy gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students.

Courage To Change

$23,616 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
To provide the first month’s rent and a package of personal effects to 48 homeless recovering men and women. The residents will be given housing for one year in a transitional housing program while they stabilize their lives, find jobs and remain drug-free.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.