Onion Foundation — 2027 Nature Learning applicant grants (2027)
The Onion Foundation officially announced this 2027 applicant-facing grant cycle on its current 2027 grant calendar. It funds high-quality science-based, place-based experiential outdoor and nature learning for Maine young people, often in partnership with schools and other community organizations. This is genuine foundation charitable financial assistance, not a vendor purchase, government allocation, or commercial request for bids. Status: UPCOMING, applications are not yet open as of November 7, 2026.
Individual grant amounts and award term
The foundation’s presently published program guidelines give these per-applicant request limits: $5,000 to $30,000 per 12-month period for one or two years (up to $60,000 total at the annual maximum). These are standing program guidelines currently displayed alongside the older 2026 cycle; the foundation has not yet published the complete cycle-specific 2027 application packet. Applicants must recheck the 2027 portal on opening for any changed award cap, allowable costs, eligibility or administrative conditions. No overall foundation funding pool is represented as an individual award, and an award is not guaranteed.
Official 2027 cycle dates
The controlling 2027 calendar states applications open March 17, 2027 and close April 28, 2027, with no specific closing time or time zone announced. The foundation’s general review process involves a grantee portal submission, program officer review, notification, and a grant letter if approved. Do not submit against an expired 2026 application form. When the 2027 cycle opens, use the current funder-provided applicant portal and application questions; an optional advance conversation with a program officer is encouraged, especially for first-time or fiscally sponsored applicants.
Eligible applicant types and geographic limits
Work must be based in Maine and benefit Maine residents. Applicants must be an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity, an eligible project fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) public charity, or a Maine governmental unit. Public or private schools and school districts are not eligible direct applicants, but partnerships with eligible nonprofits are possible. Direct individuals and ordinary commercial companies are not listed as eligible applicants. Fiscal sponsors must be responsible grant recipients, sign the grant agreement and submit required reporting; a signed fiscal sponsorship agreement is required with the application.
Program selection, matching and restrictions
The Environment Program’s nature-learning guidance prioritizes qualified educators; sound curricula and experiential pedagogy; meaningful understanding of natural systems; school and community partnerships; equity and disability access; and durable learning opportunities. Both general operating and project support are offered depending on how closely an organization’s work aligns with the strategy; fiscally sponsored proposals are project grants. A mandatory match percentage is not stated in the public standing program guidelines; the 2027 grant application package may specify further financial requirements. Across programs the foundation normally excludes land purchases, capital campaigns or improvements, endowment funding, scholarship funds, and religious programs. Public project needs, program budgets, responsible management, program fit, and other funding sources should be described honestly. A specific grant agreement will govern payment schedule, deliverables and reporting if awarded.
Application requirements and authoritative sources
Review the official 2027 calendar and eligibility/fiscal-sponsorship rules, plus the 2027 Nature Learning program terms. Prepare an organizational profile, evidence of nonprofit/government eligibility, a program or operations narrative aligned with the relevant strategy, detailed project or operating budget and sources of income, authorized contacts, and, if fiscally sponsored, a signed sponsor agreement. The 2027 application question preview and final portal may add or alter submission prerequisites; treat these as outstanding until the portal opens, not as invented current requirements. Official-source review date: November 7, 2026.