The Nature-Based Education Grants program, offered by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, is designed to ensure that all Mainers have equitable opportunities to experience and connect with the outdoors. The foundation believes that such experiences strengthen personal well-being, foster environmental stewardship, and build healthier, more resilient communities. This grant program prioritizes work serving school-aged children from pre-K through 12th grade, with a particular emphasis on reaching historically underrepresented groups.
The program supports both systems-level initiatives and direct programming. Systems-level funding is intended for organizations engaging in capacity-building, professional development, network and movement building, data collection and evaluation, and advocacy and policy change. These efforts aim to transform inequitable systems and establish lasting frameworks that expand access to outdoor education for Maine’s students.
Direct programming support is provided as general operating grants. The foundation places priority on organizations led by communities historically underrepresented in the nature-based education sector. It also welcomes proposals that test, replicate, or scale effective models that can generate transformational impact within the field.
Funding for 2025 totals $1,305,000. Systems-level grants may range from $50,000 to $200,000 per year and can span one to five years. Direct programming grants typically fall between $10,000 and $50,000 per year, with multi-year proposals accepted. All grantmaking will occur through an open application process.
Applications for the 2025 cycle were due by February 13 at 5:00 p.m. Decisions will be announced by the end of April 2025. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to the program contact for discussion prior to submission.
For inquiries or to discuss proposals, applicants may contact Amie Hutchison at ahutchison@sewallfoundation.org. Further details about the opportunity and requirements can be found in the program’s official fact sheet.
Prioritize equity and systems change; focus on Maine-based programs; support from underrepresented leadership is valued.
