Environment Grant Program: Strategy I- Equitable Outdoor Access

The Environment Grant Program by The Onion Foundation aims to enhance equitable outdoor access for all Maine residents, particularly in rural areas. This initiative focuses on fostering knowledge and skills to protect the environment rather than funding land acquisitions. Key priorities include supporting land trusts in creating inclusive programs, removing barriers for underserved groups, and building statewide networks to improve outdoor access. The program emphasizes community engagement and environmental stewardship.

NOTE:  Land trusts interested in submitting a proposal should contact the Environment Program Officer before applying to ensure alignment.
Environment Program
Our Environment Program aims to enable all Maine residents — especially those in rural areas — to enjoy the state’s natural resources and develop the knowledge, skills, and motivation to protect the state's environment. We focus our resources on the people of Maine, whose lives shape environment and climate change outcomes, and the places that give Mainers rich outdoor experiences.
We aim to ensure all Maine residents can connect to the natural world.
To achieve our goals, we support nonprofit work in three areas:

• Eliminate Barriers to the Outdoors

Far too many people in Maine experience systemic barriers that exclude them from outdoor activities, climate change advocacy, and environmental programming. We aim to strengthen organizations and programs that meaningfully improve outdoor access for Black, Indigenous, and people of color and for people living with disabilities.
Organizations may submit proposals requesting support for planning and program development or for an established program to reduce barriers for these populations.
Support Statewide Initiatives
We invest in statewide and regional organizations that provide critical services, resources, infrastructure, and operational guidance to expand the equitable outdoor access movement. We recognize the value of these organizations in coordinating effective programs designed to increase learning, sharing, reach, efficacy, and efficiency.
Develop Organizations That Protect Outdoor Spaces
Strengthening Maine residents’ connection to the outdoors requires us to focus on both the places where people access nature and the people who experience barriers to doing so.
Land TrustsInclusive, easily accessible land trust programs help foster equitable access to the outdoors. We partner with Momentum Conservation to offer funding to land trusts doing this critical work. Land trusts may apply for project support in our open grant programs and are encouraged to share other novel work with our program officer.LakesMaine is rich with regional watersheds that connect people to the state’s abundant and ecologically significant lakes. We support watershed organizations in building their capacity, protecting fresh water throughout the state, and engaging a diverse and growing number of Maine residents.

Eligibility

To receive funding from the Onion Foundation, proposed work must be based in Maine and focused on benefiting Maine's people. To apply for and receive a grant, your organization must be one of the following:A 501(c)3 public charity as designated by the IRSFiscally sponsored by a qualified 501(c)3 public charitySee Navigating Fiscal SponsorshipA Maine governmental unit

Ineligibility

The Foundation generally does not support:Capital projects (including capital campaigns, capital improvements, land purchases, or endowments)mmingScholarship fundsPublic and private schools or school districts (we do fund nonprofit organizations that partner with schools)Religious programsThe Environment Program generally does not support:Fisheries, river restoration, dam removal, and fish passageAquatic and terrestrial invasive plant mitigation (we do fund invasive aquatic species prevention)