Onion Foundation
Accepts applications
Onion Foundation is a private foundation in Auburn, Maine. In tax year 2024 it gave $4.4 million in 245 grants; the typical grant was $15,000 and the largest $625,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$4.4 million
- Number of grants245
- Typical grant$15,000
- Largest grant$625,000
- Assets$63.6 million
- New grantees49%
Giving in 2024 was up from $3.3 million the year before.
49% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.3 million | 208 | $64.8 million |
| 2024 | $4.4 million | 245 | $63.6 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Onion Foundation 2 Great Falls Plaza Box 7, Auburn, ME 04210 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (207) 221-0272, info@onionfoundation.org |
| What to submit | 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. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Onion Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 7 states, the most to Maine.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 233 | $4.1 million |
| Massachusetts | 5 | $89,180 |
| Vermont | 2 | $80,000 |
| New York | 2 | $35,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $30,000 |
| California | 1 | $25,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $20,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Momentum Conservation | To provide technical and financial support to land trusts | $625,000 |
| Maine Association of Nonprofits | To support the Cultural Alliance of Maine's arts and for culture advocacy | $88,000 |
| Maine Environmental Education Association | To conduct a landscape analysis of Maines Youth Climate Movement | $75,000 |
| New Learning Journey | To support the First Light program in increasing access to land and water for Wabanaki people | $75,000 |
| Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance | To support the professional development of educators | $71,000 |
| Mayo Street Arts | To provide general support | $57,500 |
| Maine Audubon | To expand science-based environmental education to Lewiston and Bangor schools | $52,500 |
| Maine Initiatives | To support the Maine Outdoor Equity Fund | $50,000 |
| SPACE Gallery | To support a weekend-long gathering for the Maine dance community | $42,500 |
| Maine Lakes | To provide general support | $41,000 |
| Maine GearShare | To provide general support | $40,000 |
| President And Trustees Of Bates College | To support the Bates Dance Festival | $40,000 |
| Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness | To support the ongoing development and sustainability of its fundraising team | $40,000 |
| OUT Maine | To support an arts retreat at Haystack for Maine LGBTQ+ high school students | $35,000 |
| Appalachian Mountain Club | To support the Maine Woods Community Youth and Environment Program | $30,000 |
| Climate Change for All Educators Inc | To establish the Maine Climate Education Hub | $30,000 |
| Maine Coast Heritage Trust | To support Maine Land Trust Network's Land Trust Census | $30,000 |
| New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc | To support grantmaking and convening in Maine | $30,000 |
| Rippleffect | To support the ROLE program | $30,000 |
| The Climate Initiative | To launch the Maine Collegiate Climate Policy Institute | $30,000 |
| Wild Seed Project | To implement experiential ecology programs in schools with accompanying teacher training | $30,000 |
| Lake Stewards of Maine | To support general operations and professional development | $27,000 |
| Northeastern University | For the Roux Institute to help environmental nonprofit organizations develop income | $27,000 |
| University of Maine Foundation | To support training for teachers to bring their classroom outdoors | $25,700 |
| Chewonki Foundation Inc | To enable Maine students to participate in the Outdoor Classroom | $25,000 |
| Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters | To support the Katahdin Learning Project | $25,000 |
| Gateway Community Services Maine | To support transportation, lodging, and staffing for outdoor experiences | $25,000 |
| Kennebec Estuary Land Trust | To support the Maine Trails Coalition | $25,000 |
| Lakes Environmental Association | To provide general support | $25,000 |
| Maine Community Integration | To support programs that connect youth and adults to the outdoors with field trips and education | $25,000 |
| Maine Public | To enable the Climate Desk to hire a full-time editor | $25,000 |
| Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) | To provide general support | $25,000 |
| Quebec-Labrador Foundation | Trail assessments and training on access for people with disabilities | $25,000 |
| Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park | To expand the Schoodic Education Adventure for underserved Maine schools | $25,000 |
| Sierra Club Foundation | To support education and mobilization activities conducted by Sierra Club Maine | $25,000 |
| The Ecology School | To provide Maine students with immersive ecology education | $25,000 |
| Tree Street Youth | To expand three outdoor programs for youth of all ages | $25,000 |
| Cobscook Institute | To expand the Midden Minders program to engage more students in Washington County | $23,000 |
| Khmer Maine | To host a monthly series of Indigenous learning events and outdoor trips | $22,500 |
| The Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation | To develop the canoe and leadership skills of Wabanaki Youth | $22,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Frederick Onion
- Susan Onion
- Alene Onion
Questions people ask
Does Onion Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Application links are posted on the program pages when the application period is open..
How much does Onion Foundation give?
$4.4 million in tax year 2024, across 245 grants, with a typical grant of $15,000.
Who runs Onion Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Frederick Onion (Trustee), Susan Onion (Trustee) and Alene Onion (Trustee (start 2024)).
What does Onion Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, arts and culture and education.