Onion Foundation
Historical FunderAuburn, Maine · EIN 47-1289795 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$4.4M
Organizations funded245
Typical grant$15,000
Total assets$63.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $7,500 and $20,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | Onion Foundation |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 Great Falls Plaza Box 7, Auburn ME 04210 |
| Phone | 2072210272 |
| info@onionfoundation.org | |
| Form and materials | 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. We encourage new applicants to discuss their ideas and plans with foundation staff before applying. |
| 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. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
4% of grants went outside Maine.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Momentum Conservation | Portland, ME | To provide technical and financial support to land trusts | $625,000 |
| Maine Association of Nonprofits | Portland, ME | To support the Cultural Alliance of Maine's arts and for culture advocacy | $88,000 |
| Maine Environmental Education Association | Brunswick, ME | To conduct a landscape analysis of Maines Youth Climate Movement | $75,000 |
| New Learning Journey | Fayston, VT | To support the First Light program in increasing access to land and water for Wabanaki people | $75,000 |
| Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance | Augusta, ME | To support the professional development of educators | $71,000 |
| Mayo Street Arts | Portland, ME | To provide general support | $57,500 |
| Maine Audubon | Falmouth, ME | To expand science-based environmental education to Lewiston and Bangor schools | $52,500 |
| Maine Initiatives | Portland, ME | To support the Maine Outdoor Equity Fund | $50,000 |
| SPACE Gallery | Portland, ME | To support a weekend-long gathering for the Maine dance community | $42,500 |
| Maine Lakes | Yarmouth, ME | To provide general support | $41,000 |
| Maine GearShare | Brunswick, ME | To provide general support | $40,000 |
| President And Trustees Of Bates College | Lewiston, ME | To support the Bates Dance Festival | $40,000 |
| Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness | Bangor, ME | To support the ongoing development and sustainability of its fundraising team | $40,000 |
| OUT Maine | Rockland, ME | To support an arts retreat at Haystack for Maine LGBTQ+ high school students | $35,000 |
| Appalachian Mountain Club | Boston, MA | To support the Maine Woods Community Youth and Environment Program | $30,000 |
| Climate Change for All Educators Inc | Valley Cottage, NY | To establish the Maine Climate Education Hub | $30,000 |
| Maine Coast Heritage Trust | Topsham, ME | To support Maine Land Trust Network's Land Trust Census | $30,000 |
| New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc | Newmarket, NH | To support grantmaking and convening in Maine | $30,000 |
| Rippleffect | Portland, ME | To support the ROLE program | $30,000 |
| The Climate Initiative | Kennebunkport, ME | To launch the Maine Collegiate Climate Policy Institute | $30,000 |
| Wild Seed Project | North Yarmouth, ME | To implement experiential ecology programs in schools with accompanying teacher training | $30,000 |
| Lake Stewards of Maine | Auburn, ME | To support general operations and professional development | $27,000 |
| Northeastern University | Boston, MA | For the Roux Institute to help environmental nonprofit organizations develop income | $27,000 |
| University of Maine Foundation | Orono, ME | To support training for teachers to bring their classroom outdoors | $25,700 |
| Chewonki Foundation Inc | Wiscasset, ME | To enable Maine students to participate in the Outdoor Classroom | $25,000 |
| Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters | Portland, ME | To support the Katahdin Learning Project | $25,000 |
| Gateway Community Services Maine | Portland, ME | To support transportation, lodging, and staffing for outdoor experiences | $25,000 |
| Kennebec Estuary Land Trust | Bath, ME | To support the Maine Trails Coalition | $25,000 |
| Lakes Environmental Association | Bridgton, ME | To provide general support | $25,000 |
| Maine Community Integration | Lewiston, ME | To support programs that connect youth and adults to the outdoors with field trips and education | $25,000 |
| Maine Public | Lewiston, ME | To enable the Climate Desk to hire a full-time editor | $25,000 |
| Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) | Augusta, ME | To provide general support | $25,000 |
| Quebec-Labrador Foundation | Farmington, ME | Trail assessments and training on access for people with disabilities | $25,000 |
| Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park | Winter Harbor, ME | To expand the Schoodic Education Adventure for underserved Maine schools | $25,000 |
| Sierra Club Foundation | Oakland, CA | To support education and mobilization activities conducted by Sierra Club Maine | $25,000 |
| The Ecology School | Saco, ME | To provide Maine students with immersive ecology education | $25,000 |
| Tree Street Youth | Lewiston, ME | To expand three outdoor programs for youth of all ages | $25,000 |
| Cobscook Institute | Trescott Township, ME | To expand the Midden Minders program to engage more students in Washington County | $23,000 |
| Khmer Maine | Portland, ME | To host a monthly series of Indigenous learning events and outdoor trips | $22,500 |
| The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation | Casco, ME | To develop the canoe and leadership skills of Wabanaki Youth | $22,000 |
| 317 Main Community Music Center | Yarmouth, ME | To provide general support | $20,000 |
| Abbe Museum | Bar Harbor, ME | To provide general support | $20,000 |
| Bay Chamber Concerts & Music School | Camden, ME | To support music education in midcoast Maine | $20,000 |
| Bicycle Coalition of Maine | Portland, ME | To provide general support | $20,000 |
| Boothbay Sea and Science Center | East Boothbay, ME | To support seaweed farming and marine education in schools | $20,000 |
| Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Inc | Brunswick, ME | To provide teacher training on a model nature learning curriculum | $20,000 |
| Camp Beech Cliff | Mt Desert, ME | To run three new programs to connect underserved teens and adults to nature | $20,000 |
| Camp Susan Curtis | Portland, ME | To support underserved campers in Maine | $20,000 |
| Center for an Ecology Based Economy | Norway, ME | To provide general support | $20,000 |
| Chocolate Church Arts Center | Bath, ME | To provide general support | $20,000 |
| Classical Uprising | Portland, ME | To provide general support | $20,000 |
| Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education | Beals, ME | To support K-12 environmental literacy programs | $20,000 |
| Eastport Arts Center | Eastport, ME | To provide general support | $20,000 |
| Gulf of Maine Research Institute | Portland, ME | To support science-based education programs | $20,000 |
| Haystack Mountain School of Crafts | Deer Isle, ME | To support local children and adults using technology in creative learning | $20,000 |
| Healthy Acadia | Ellsworth, ME | To coordinate and host Juneteenth Weekend on the Water events and a new swim program | $20,000 |
| IFKA Community Services | Lewiston, ME | To connect immigrant youth to nature through hands-on activities | $20,000 |
| Indigo Arts Alliance | Portland, ME | To provide general support | $20,000 |
| Johnson Hall Inc | Gardiner, ME | To provide general support | $20,000 |
| JustME for JustUS | South Freeport, ME | For a youth-led project to advance climate justice and civic engagement | $20,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 245 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,380,610 | 245 |
| 2023 | $3,334,875 | 208 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 7, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202503119349101955
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 47-1289795
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.