Environment Program: Strategy II- Expand Nature Learning Grant

Environment Program

The Onion Foundation 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 Maine’s environment. Rather than supporting land acquisition and capital projects, we focus our resources on the people of Maine, whose lives and behaviors will continue to shape environment and climate change outcomes.

Strategy II- Expand Nature Learning

Provide high-quality, science-based nature learning opportunities that help Maine youth understand the role that robust natural systems can play in a healthy and vibrant life.

To achieve this goal, we uphold two core priorities:

• Develop and grow high-quality, standards-aligned nature learning programs for youth in specific underserved parts of the state.
• Support intensive and high-quality programs that provide youth with transformative, multi-day trips outdoors.

Our work under this strategy primarily supports nonprofit organizations that offer robust environment-focused educational programs to young people that center natural systems, science, and experiential elements.

According to the Census for Community-Based Environmental Learning, students in many of Maine’s rural and remote areas receive less environmental education than their peers in urban areas, and educators have fewer local, environmental, and community-based organizations with which to partner. Under this strategy, we aim to increase the number of high-quality nature learning opportunities available to Maine’s young people in rural areas to ensure all children and youth understand the role nature can play in a healthy and vibrant life.

Our Priorities

_Develop and grow high-quality, standards-aligned nature learning programs for youth in specific underserved parts of the state._

Characteristics of high-quality programs:

• Include high-quality curricula, pedagogy, and learning experiences, preferably linked to the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards, which aim for transformative learning
• Offer place-based, experiential learning elements
• Result in students gaining an understanding of natural systems
• Led by qualified educators
• Thoughtfully partner with schools and other networks to ensure continuous and complementary opportunities for learning, experience, and exploration
• Focus on one or more group(s) and engage in durable and relevant partnerships to drive and support the participation of the targeted group(s)
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity and accessibility

_Support intensive and high-quality programs that provide youth with transformative, multi-day trips outdoors._

Maine is home to a network of best-in-class overnight environmental learning centers. These programs bring youth from across the state to their sites for longer, deeper experiences in Maine’s natural landscapes. They also provide statewide leadership in the nature-learning field by showcasing model programs, sharing emerging best practices, and advocating for their support. These programs complement the place-based experiential learning programs of Priority 1.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• 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.
• The proposed work must be based in Maine and focused on benefitting Maine’s people.
• Some organizations may work in multiple strategy areas and will need to choose one strategic area in which to apply.
• The Foundation will consider fiscally sponsored applicants only for groups operating like organizations, not for individuals seeking funding for their own work.
  • New fiscally sponsored applicants should contact the Environment Program Officer for guidance before beginning any application.
• Organizations are welcome to apply again in subsequent years after completing the requirements of the initial grant as long as their work is still in alignment with the mission, vision, values, and strategies of the Onion Foundation.

Ineligibility

• The Environment Program generally does not support:
  • Capital projects (including capital campaigns, capital improvements, land purchases, or endowments)
  • Scholarship funds
  • Public and private schools or school districts (we do fund non-profit organizations that partner with schools)
  • Fisheries, river restoration, dam removal, and fish passage
  • Projects that focus on aquatic and terrestrial invasive plant mitigation (we do fund invasive aquatic species prevention)
  • Infrastructure (such as equipment) without significant, targeted programming