How to apply
To submit an application, applicants may go to the Foundation's online grant portal to set up an account: https://www.onionfoundation.org/for-grantees Onion Foundation offers grants through its Arts Program and its Environment Program. Please review the appropriate program page to learn more about our strategies and find what is right for your organization and project. Our Grants Awarded pages have information about projects and organizations that have received grants from Onion Foundation. If your organization is a good match, consider contacting us to discuss your application and proposal.… Contact: Onion Foundation, 2 Great Falls Plaza Box 7, Auburn, Me, 2072210272, info@onionfoundation.org Deadlines: Application links are posted on the program pages when the application period is open. Restrictions: To apply for and receive a grant, your organization must be a 501(c)3 public charity as designated by the IRS, operate under a fiscal sponsor that is a qualified 501(c)3 public charity, be a public education institution, or be a Maine governmental unit. We strongly encourage fiscally sponsored applicants to discuss their proposal ideas with a program officer before writing their application.
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2024 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2024
Top 60 of 245 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Momentum ConservationPortland, ME | To provide technical and financial support to land trusts | $625K |
| Maine Association of NonprofitsPortland, ME | To support the Cultural Alliance of Maine's arts and for culture advocacy | $88K |
| Maine Environmental Education AssociationBrunswick, ME | To conduct a landscape analysis of Maines Youth Climate Movement | $75K |
| New Learning JourneyFayston, VT | To support the First Light program in increasing access to land and water for Wabanaki people | $75K |
| Maine Mathematics and Science AllianceAugusta, ME | To support the professional development of educators | $71K |
| Mayo Street ArtsPortland, ME | To provide general support | $58K |
| Maine AudubonFalmouth, ME | To expand science-based environmental education to Lewiston and Bangor schools | $53K |
| Maine InitiativesPortland, ME | To support the Maine Outdoor Equity Fund | $50K |
| Space GalleryPortland, ME | To support a weekend-long gathering for the Maine dance community | $43K |
| Maine LakesYarmouth, ME | To provide general support | $41K |
| Maine GearshareBrunswick, ME | To provide general support | $40K |
| President and Trustees of Bates CollegeLewiston, ME | To support the Bates Dance Festival | $40K |
| Wabanaki Public Health and WellnessBangor, ME | To support the ongoing development and sustainability of its fundraising team | $40K |
| Out MaineRockland, ME | To support an arts retreat at Haystack for Maine LGBTQ+ high school students | $35K |
| Appalachian Mountain ClubBoston, MA | To support the Maine Woods Community Youth and Environment Program | $30K |
| Climate Change for All Educators IncValley Cottage, NY | To establish the Maine Climate Education Hub | $30K |
| Maine Coast Heritage TrustTopsham, ME | To support Maine Land Trust Network's Land Trust Census | $30K |
| New England Grassroots Environment Fund IncNewmarket, NH | To support grantmaking and convening in Maine | $30K |
| RippleffectPortland, ME | To support the ROLE program | $30K |
| The Climate InitiativeKennebunkport, ME | To launch the Maine Collegiate Climate Policy Institute | $30K |
| Wild Seed ProjectNorth Yarmouth, ME | To implement experiential ecology programs in schools with accompanying teacher training | $30K |
| Lake Stewards of MaineAuburn, ME | To support general operations and professional development | $27K |
| Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA | For the Roux Institute to help environmental nonprofit organizations develop income | $27K |
| University of Maine FoundationOrono, ME | To support training for teachers to bring their classroom outdoors | $26K |
| Chewonki Foundation IncWiscasset, ME | To enable Maine students to participate in the Outdoor Classroom | $25K |
| Friends of Katahdin Woods and WatersPortland, ME | To support the Katahdin Learning Project | $25K |
| Gateway Community Services MainePortland, ME | To support transportation, lodging, and staffing for outdoor experiences | $25K |
| Kennebec Estuary Land TrustBath, ME | To support the Maine Trails Coalition | $25K |
| Lakes Environmental AssociationBridgton, ME | To provide general support | $25K |
| Maine Community IntegrationLewiston, ME | To support programs that connect youth and adults to the outdoors with field trips and education | $25K |
| Maine PublicLewiston, ME | To enable the Climate Desk to hire a full-time editor | $25K |
| Natural Resources Council of Maine (nrcm)Augusta, ME | To provide general support | $25K |
| Quebec-Labrador FoundationFarmington, ME | Trail assessments and training on access for people with disabilities | $25K |
| Schoodic Institute at Acadia National ParkWinter Harbor, ME | To expand the Schoodic Education Adventure for underserved Maine schools | $25K |
| Sierra Club FoundationOakland, CA | To support education and mobilization activities conducted by Sierra Club Maine | $25K |
| The Ecology SchoolSaco, ME | To provide Maine students with immersive ecology education | $25K |
| Tree Street YouthLewiston, ME | To expand three outdoor programs for youth of all ages | $25K |
| Cobscook InstituteTrescott Township, ME | To expand the Midden Minders program to engage more students in Washington County | $23K |
| Khmer MainePortland, ME | To host a monthly series of Indigenous learning events and outdoor trips | $23K |
| The Allagash Wilderness Waterway FoundationCasco, ME | To develop the canoe and leadership skills of Wabanaki Youth | $22K |
| 317 Main Community Music CenterYarmouth, ME | To provide general support | $20K |
| Abbe MuseumBar Harbor, ME | To provide general support | $20K |
| Bay Chamber Concerts & Music SchoolCamden, ME | To support music education in midcoast Maine | $20K |
| Bicycle Coalition of MainePortland, ME | To provide general support | $20K |
| Boothbay Sea and Science CenterEast Boothbay, ME | To support seaweed farming and marine education in schools | $20K |
| Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust IncBrunswick, ME | To provide teacher training on a model nature learning curriculum | $20K |
| Camp Beech CliffMount Desert, ME | To run three new programs to connect underserved teens and adults to nature | $20K |
| Camp Susan CurtisPortland, ME | To support underserved campers in Maine | $20K |
| Center for an Ecology Based EconomyNorway, ME | To provide general support | $20K |
| Chocolate Church Arts CenterBath, ME | To provide general support | $20K |
| Classical UprisingPortland, ME | To provide general support | $20K |
| Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and EducationBeals, ME | To support K-12 environmental literacy programs | $20K |
| Eastport Arts CenterEastport, ME | To provide general support | $20K |
| Gulf of Maine Research InstitutePortland, ME | To support science-based education programs | $20K |
| Haystack Mountain School of CraftsDeer Isle, ME | To support local children and adults using technology in creative learning | $20K |
| Healthy AcadiaEllsworth, ME | To coordinate and host Juneteenth Weekend on the Water events and a new swim program | $20K |
| Ifka Community ServicesLewiston, ME | To connect immigrant youth to nature through hands-on activities | $20K |
| Indigo Arts AlliancePortland, ME | To provide general support | $20K |
| Johnson Hall IncGardiner, ME | To provide general support | $20K |
| Justme for JustusSouth Freeport, ME | For a youth-led project to advance climate justice and civic engagement | $20K |
By state: Maine 233 · Massachusetts 5 · Vermont 2 · New York 2 · New Hampshire 1 · California 1
About this foundation
Onion Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Wayne, Maine, administered in care of Frederick Onion, tax-exempt since 2014. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does Onion Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2024 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. org/for-grantees Onion Foundation offers grants through its Arts Program and its Environment Program. Deadlines: Application links are posted on the program pages when the application period is open..
How much does Onion Foundation give each year?
In tax year 2024 it paid $4.4M across 245 grants, a median of $15K.
Where does Onion Foundation give?
Maine (233 grants), Massachusetts (5 grants), Vermont (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
More foundations near Wayne that accept applications
All in Maine| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Alfond Foundationsince 1994 | Portland, ME | $103M45 grants · 2024 | $250K | Yes | $1.5B |
| John T Gorman Foundationsince 1995 | Portland, ME | $7.5M154 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $224M |
| Elmina B Sewall Foundationsince 1983 | Freeport, ME | $14M296 grants · 2024 | $31K | Yes | $165M |
| Libra Foundation Owen W Wells Trusteesince 1990 | Portland, ME | $4.3M56 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $157M |
| Maine Health Access Foundation Incsince 2001 | Augusta, ME | $5.0M126 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $154M |