Environment Program Associate
A newly created position, the Environment Program Associate provides critical administrative and programmatic support to the Environment Program. The Program Associate responds to requests for information and assistance related to the program generally as well as to specific inquiries about funding opportunities and grants, administrative issues, fiscal matters, and events hosted or sponsored by the Foundation. The Program Associate assists with grantee monitoring, organizes internal and external meetings, schedules site visits, helps to develop and manage internal and public educational meetings and workshops, and handles logistics relating to Foundation sponsored events, including capacity building and training sessions. The Program Associate assists the Environment Program Officers with grants administration and communication tasks, in coordination with the Grants and Office Administrator. As requested, the Program Associate also provides administrative support for Special Opportunities grants and emerging areas of grantmaking and engages in research. The position reports to one of the Foundation’s two Environment Program Officers.
The Onion Foundation is a private charitable foundation established in 2014, with offices in Auburn, Maine. Its mission is to build a healthy and more equitable Maine by deepening the connection of all people to the arts and to nature. The Foundation focuses most of its work on two program areas. The Environment Program aims to enable all Maine residents, especially in rural areas, to enjoy the state’s natural resources and to develop the knowledge, skills, and motivation to protect Maine’s environment. The Arts Programs seeks to connect Maine residents to arts experiences as audience members and as makers in order to offer opportunities for expression, learning, and inspiration.
Since its creation, the Foundation has made over 2000 grants, totaling approximately $28 million to almost 600 unique non-profit organizations in the state of Maine. The Onion Foundation is committed to leveraging its resources to reduce systemic inequities so all people in Maine can fully realize their potential. The Foundation’s values—equity, learning and creativity, inclusion and diversity, and accessibility and transparency— capture what it stands for as an organization, informs its decision making and programs, and guides it in building a healthy and more equitable Maine.
Within its two program areas, the Foundation undertakes grantmaking, capacity building, convening, educational, and advocacy activities. The Foundation also actively participates in and supports the philanthropic community in Maine.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Performing grant administration tasks requested by Program Officers, in coordination with the Grants and Officer Administrator
- Running reports on grant making, grant characteristics, grant requirements, and program expenditures as requested by Program Officers
- Conduct data analysis on grant proposals to capture themes and needs within the field as well as progress towards the Onion Foundation’s strategic goals
- Monitoring grants through review of narrative and financial reports
- Fielding and responding to inquiries about application opportunities, grants, and other program matters
- Communicating with applicants and grantees as requested by Program Officers
- Participating actively in staff and team meetings, contributing to the foundation’s learning environment
- Organizing and handling logistics for internal and external meetings, including tracking participation in capacity building initiatives supported by the Foundation and communicating with participants
- Arranging site visits and multi-party meetings
- Assisting with logistics, travel arrangements, materials, and other aspects related to meetings, conferences, publications, presentations, and webinars
- Conducting internet and other research as requested by Program Officers
- Representing the Onion Foundation at various grantee and other meetings and synthesizing meeting discussions for Foundation staff and board members
- Other tasks as requested by the Executive Director
Education and Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or equivalent practical experience
- A minimum of three years of administrative and programmatic experience in the workforce, preferably in the non-profit environment sector
- Experience in the environment sector in Maine is a plus
Skills and Qualifications
- Excellent computer skills, including expertise in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Zoom
- Ability to master the Foundation’s grant administration software, GivingData, and willingness to learn new platforms as needed to facilitate grant and contact management, data integrity, workflows, and efficiency
- Excellent organizational skills and consistent attention to detail, priorities, and deadlines
- Ability to set priorities among tasks and manage projects with overlapping timelines
- Ability to establish and implement systems and procedures to help organize a busy office and to track the progress of program initiatives, grants, and correspondence
- Strong writing and proofreading skills
- Familiarity with tracking financial information
- Capacity to undertake internet and other research and clearly present information
- Ability to manage confidential issues and act with discretion
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Strong listening and communication skills, with sensitivity to cultural communication differences
- Comfort with some public speaking, such as presiding over webinars
- High level of self-motivation, a strong work ethic, and, as necessary, ease working independently
- Ability and desire to work with a diverse group of individuals and as a member of a team
- An interest in the work of nonprofit organizations and a commitment to advancing equity and social and racial justice
- Capacity for self-reflection and a sense of humor
Location and Travel
The Onion Foundation office is in Auburn, Maine. The Program Associate must be available to work in the Auburn office up to three days each week and may work remotely other days. The position may occasionally require travel, including outside of business hours, to attend conferences and meetings.
Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Vaccinations
The Program Associate typically performs functions in an office setting with a low level of noise. The Foundation will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job functions. To promote health within and outside of the office, the Onion Foundation requires employees to have up-to-date vaccinations.
- Salary range: $45,000 to $55,000 based on experience
- Full time: 36-hour week
Generous, comprehensive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, and disability insurance; four weeks paid vacation; flexible savings plan for dependent care and for medical expenses; and, an employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement account with up to a 6% employer contribution
The Onion Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages individuals from communities that historically have experienced discrimination to apply. Applicants requiring an alternative job posting format or other accommodation should contact Sally@onionfoundation.org.
Forward a cover letter and resume by January 8, 2026 to jobs@onionfoundation.org. The Foundation will not consider an application without a cover letter.