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

Young Victorian Theatre Company

$5,000 / 2001 / Arts
Toward a permanent endowment to stabilize the Young Victorian summer community theater.

Advocates for Children and Youth

$292,720 / 2000 / Education
Two-year funding for continued support of Students First, an advocacy project dedicated to improving the quality of education for children in Baltimore City public schools. In support of educational reform, Students First provides assessment of educational practices, policies, and programs, and makes recommendations for research-based programs and strategies.

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.

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.

Archdiocese of Baltimore

$123,000 / 2000 / Education
To provide scholarships enabling Choice and other Baltimore City public school at-risk students to attend parochial schools in Baltimore City during the 2000-2001 school year. By participating in this model delinquency and dropout prevention program, these students are expected to benefit from smaller classes, one-on-one instruction, and a structured educational setting.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.