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

Baltimore City Public School System/Harlem Park Community School

$18,800 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
Two grants for support of the “Do You Know Where Your Children Are?” program for the 2000-2001 school year. This grassroots pilot project offers incentives to participating parents and other adults who know where their middle school-age children are during the afternoon and evening hours of the school week.

Baltimore City Public School System/Harford Heights Primary School

$46,250 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
For continued support of the Vision Therapy Program for the 2000-2001 school year. The program provides complete vision assessments for fourth graders, offers an intensive course of vision therapy for up to 50 students, and evaluates the impact of the intervention on the students; visual and academic performance.

Universal Classroom Breakfast Program

$45,000 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
For staffing to monitor and enhance the Universal Classroom Breakfast Program currently being implemented in 51 elementary and middle schools. The program is part of a longitudinal study to determine the long-term effects of students’ participation in breakfast in the classroom (as opposed to the cafeteria) on attendance, tardiness, disciplinary action, and academic achievement.

Best Friends

$200,000 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
For expenses related to activities of Best Friends, a pregnancy prevention program for at-risk adolescent females in four Baltimore City middle schools. The program consists of monthly group classes, weekly fitness classes, and individual mentoring sessions.

Baltimore City Healthy Start, Inc.

$1,000,000 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
Second-year funding of Recovery In Community, a substance abuse prevention and recovery initiative. The purpose of the citywide initiative is to expand the number of treatment slots and increase the resources and supports available to recovering addicts and their families. By assessing the effectiveness of a comprehensive continuum of community-based supports, the program aims to reduce relapses and drug-related crime.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.