Maine Public (Pre-K-12) teachers and schools; preference will be given to schools with high need (determined using the most recent Maine DOE % Eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch data) and schools that have not received mini grant funding in the past. If you have an idea for a project but are not based at a public school please contact anna@meeassociation.org and we will try to connect you with a school.

Funding can be used for any project that advances outdoor learning in your classroom or school in the 2024-25 school year.

Most commonly, this funding is used to buy gear and/or supplies needed to support outdoor learning activities. This funding can also be used for professional learning to advance your outdoor learning/ teaching skills, to support a collaboration with a community partner organization on a nature-based project or experience, and/or adaptive gear that supports ALL kids having access to outdoor learning in your school.

We prioritize grants that enable connection to and learning about nature, and are unlikely to fund materials or equipment that will be used outdoors but do not emphasize this connection and learning.

We prioritize grants that focus on in-school activities; after school, summer and outing clubs may still apply but we also encourage these sorts of programs to seek support from organizations such as Teens to Trails.

We are unlikely to fund grants that are part of a longer term (more than this current school year) project and prioritize grants that will be completed within the school year.

We want to meet you where you are and help reduce the barriers you face in getting your students outside learning across all different grade levels and content areas. We strongly encourage collaborative projects with community partner organizations such as a local land trust or environmental education center, as research shows these projects often have the most student impact and long-term sustainability. If you need support around building relationships with community partners, please reach out to us!

Yes! We encourage you to apply even if you received a grant last school year! We will give priority to highest needs schools, and we are excited to support educators we have not supported in the past, but you are still eligible for support if you have received funding in the past.

The final report is short and simple: we ask for photos of your project that we have permission to share with the public and a concise write-up of how you used your funds to advance outdoor learning in your school. The final report will be due in June.

Each year we raise funds for these grants and therefore the total amount available to grantees fluctuates, along with the total number of applications. MEEA staff and volunteer grant readers may decide to partially fund grants and grantees may adjust projects based on the amount they receive.