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

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene/Division of Special Populations

$99,000 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
Two-year funding for support of Tamar’s Children, a program designed to meet special needs of incarcerated women and their infants. In partnership with Marian House, Tamar’s Children is offering integrated services based on case management and peer mentoring to ensure a secure mother-infant attachment while reducing the likelihood of future social, emotional, developmental and medical problems.

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

$60,603 / 2001 / Community Development
For additional support of the Live Near Your Work program, in partnership with Citizens Planning and Housing Association. The purpose of the program is to provide financial incentives for employees who purchase homes in neighborhoods near their workplace.

Maryland Film Festival

$90,000 / 2001 / Community Development
Two-year support of the 2002 and 2003 Maryland Film Festival. This funding includes travel expenses to bring filmmakers to Baltimore during an annual spring festival as a marketing tool to encourage future film production in Baltimore and Maryland.

Maryland Society for Sight

$17,772 / 2001 / Health and Human Services
Toward support of the Mobile Eye Care programs for local homeless people. The program uses a specially equipped van to provide eye exams to those who cannot afford the services.

Morgan State University

$21,830 / 2001 / Education
Toward expenses of the Jumpstart Program, a work-study education program for college students to tutor preschool children in an effort to improve academic achievement.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.