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

I Can’t We Can, Inc.

$191,658 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
For the acquisition and renovation of three houses in West Baltimore to house recovering addicts participating in a 60-day detoxification program.

Institute of Human Virology

$400,000 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
Challenge grant in support of pilot studies and an 18-month needs assessment of interventions aimed at improving rates of diagnosis, increasing adherence to treatment regimens, and decreasing transmission risk behavior among African Americans with HIV/AIDS.

Institutes for Behavior Resources

$100,000 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
Challenge grant for the acquisition, planning, and construction of new headquarters for expansion of mobile drug abuse treatment programs in underserved communities in Baltimore.

Irvine Nature Center

$5,000 / 2000 / Environment
For the development of three additional modules for Natural Connections, an urban environmental education program.

Jobs for the Future

$8,500 / 2000 / Health and Human Services
For a research paper to be presented at the Maryland Low-Wage Worker Conference. The focus of the paper is the review of the strengths and weaknesses of Maryland’s tax and wage policies affecting low-income workers.

Header photo courtesy of Thread.