GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Arts Education and Public Engagement
We award Arts Program grants that align with either our arts education or public engagement strategies (Strategies I and II). The proposed work must be based in Maine and focused on benefiting Maine’s people. Learn more about the Arts Program strategies.
2026 ARTS PROGRAM GRANT CYCLES
February 4, 2026 to March 11, 2026
Notification in May
July 22, 2026 to September 9, 2026
Notification in November
Photo credit: Center for Maine Contemporary Art
Grant Award Amounts
Both general operating proposals and project proposals may request multiyear grants of up to three years.
FOR ORGANIZATIONS OR PROJECTS WITH BUDGETS OVER $50,000
Up to $20,000 per year (up to $60,000 total over three years)
FOR ORGANIZATIONS OR PROJECTS WITH BUDGETS UP TO $50,000
Up to $7,500 per year (up to $22,500 total over three years)
Types of Grants
GENERAL OPERATING GRANTS
General operating grants offer unrestricted funds for your organization. If all of your organization’s activities align with Strategy I, Strategy II, or both, you may request general operating support.
PROJECT SUPPORT GRANTS
Project support grants offer funding for specific activities or programs, such as an ongoing concert series or an arts education department that’s part of a larger organization. If your organization’s work extends beyond our grantmaking strategies, you should request project support. All fiscally sponsored grants are project grants.
Eligibility Requirements
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 IRS
Fiscally sponsored by a qualified 501(c)3 public charity
A Maine governmental unit
(Right) Reach Projects Photo credit: Butler Smythe
(Left) 2023 Wabanaki Winter Market, Hudson Museum, University of Maine Photo credit: Justin Russell
(Left) 2023 Wabanaki Winter Market, Hudson Museum, University of Maine Photo credit: Justin Russell
(Right) Reach Projects Photo credit: Butler Smythe
The Arts 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 nonprofit organizations that partner with schools)
Permanent public art
Film/media production
Publications/book projects
Exhibitions without significant public programming
Religious programs
Artists (we do fund organizations that pay artists for their work)
Preparing To Apply
Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the Arts Program Officer. Email brief questions, or set up a call to inquire about how your work fits with our grant opportunities. We also strongly encourage fiscally sponsored applicants to discuss their proposal ideas with us before writing their application. Additional resources regarding fiscal sponsorship are available on the "For Applicants" page of the website.
Arts Program Officer
Nat May
HE/HIM/HIS
Nat@OnionFoundation.org
EMAIL NAT
Schedule a call
Apply for a Grant
RETURNING APPLICANTS*
Contact us via email at holly@onionfoundation.org to request an application, which will be pre-filled with organization information. Please include your name, organization, and email address.
* Those who have previously applied for or received a grant award from the Onion Foundation.
NEW APPLICANTS
New applicants may preview the application and then start a new application on our grantee portal using the links below. Spring cycle applications are due March 11th.
Learn more about our Arts Program grants
Preview the application
Learn about past grantees
Explore more resources