Best Grants for Minorities in Arkansas

Nonprofit organizations, hospitals, public schools, and government agencies in Arkansas can seek funding for programs serving African American and other underserved residents, including education, health, youth development, families, and economic development. With a mission to strengthen communities, Arkansas Community Foundation provides support that considers impact, sustainability, collaboration, and local financial backing; typical awards range from US $1,000 - US $2,500.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions working to increase ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles in Arkansas can apply for the Strategic Alliance Matching Grant. This National Collegiate Athletic Association program supports full-time positions handling strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

Arkansas NCAA Division III member colleges and universities can receive funding to create new assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation in any NCAA-sponsored sport. National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Arkansas athletic programs with two years of salary and benefits support, helping advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in Division III coaching staffs serving minority athletes.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions to increase ethnic minority and gender representation in athletics can apply for this coaching enhancement grant, including schools in Arkansas. With a mission to support diversity in sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides US $48,000 over three years toward salary, wages, and benefits.

Arkansas NCAA Division II conferences and institutions seeking to increase ethnic minority and women’s representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Grants support five-year, full-time administrative positions with responsibilities like strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare, within a broader national program.

Arkansas colleges and athletic conferences serving minority communities can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, entry-level athletics administration internships. Grants provide US $30,000 for intern salary plus professional development support, helping increase ethnic minority and women’s representation in Division II athletic administration roles for one academic year.

Arkansas minority health and physical education professionals with long-term SHAPE America membership can be honored for scholarship, mentorship, and service that expand opportunities for ethnic minorities and underserved groups. Arkansas minority educators can access funding through Society of Health and Physical Educators’ E.B. Henderson Award, which recognizes up to two outstanding members annually across the U.S.

Presbyterian undergraduate students in Arkansas and across the U.S. seeking their first associate or bachelor’s degree can receive scholarship support for full-time study at accredited colleges or universities. Grants from Presbyterian Mission Agency may particularly benefit Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American Presbyterian students through its Financial Aid for Service programs.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those from Arkansas, can seek scholarships supporting college costs such as tuition, fees, and room and board. With a mission to support educational opportunities, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts provides up to US $3,000 for one academic year, and applicants are considered for multiple scholarship funds through a single application.

Focused on postsecondary education for minority youth, The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond invites students of African American or other minority heritage to apply for the John E. Thomasson Scholarship. Arkansas students may be eligible if they attended Louisa or Fluvanna County (Virginia) public schools and are admitted to an accredited college or technical school.

Focused on minority education, Innovia Foundation invites Arkansas students of color studying marketing, advertising, design, or computer science to apply for the Diversity in Advertising Scholarship. Eligible applicants must live within Innovia’s 20-county service region, attend an accredited institution, and demonstrate academic achievement; community service and work experience receive special consideration.

Graduating high school or GED students pursuing higher education who are primarily students of color and have significant financial need may be eligible for the Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship, including minorities in Arkansas studying in the U.S. Community Foundation of South Puget Sound offers about US $3,000, renewable for up to three additional undergraduate years.

Nonprofit organizations with a 5+ year track record serving Black, Latina, and Native American women and girls can seek funding to recruit and retain them in college-level computing programs, including in Arkansas. Reboot Representation Tech Coalition prioritizes multi-geometry, research-backed initiatives, which may benefit minority-serving education and equity programs.

Undergraduate engineering students from marginalized ethnicities or genders in Arkansas can apply for the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship, awarding up to US $20,000 for tuition and other direct educational costs. Eligible students study mechanical, electrical, renewable energy, architectural, or civil engineering at a U.S. four-year college and are passionate about climate justice.

Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in STEM, including those from Arkansas, can apply for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Indian Motorcycle Academic Scholarship, awarding US $5,000 per year for academic study. Eligible applicants must be AISES members, full-time students in qualifying STEM fields, and meet tribal or Indigenous ancestry and GPA requirements.

American Indian and Alaska Native students in STEM who are U.S. citizens and entering a PhD program can apply for Montana State University's LSAMP Bridge to Doctorate support, awarding US $88,000 in stipends and education allowances. Eligible scholars from Arkansas and nationwide must also have participated in an undergraduate LSAMP program.

David & Priscilla Morris Scholarship

The David and Priscilla Morris Scholarship was established to provide tuition support for Black or African American students attending Western Michigan University.

KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution.

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

The Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program supports federally-recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and organizations in advancing health-related research. It aims to enhance research careers and infrastructure through a competitive application process. Funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services, this initiative invites eligible entities to apply, ensuring that only high-quality proposals undergo peer review for potential funding.

The Talati Family Scholarship Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, aims to support students of color pursuing higher education. Students can apply through a single online application, which connects them to various scholarships based on eligibility. Awards can reach up to $3,000 and may impact financial aid offers. This scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students attending accredited institutions in the U.S., particularly those from Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds. 

Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Latino Breakfast Club Scholarship Fund   

To support graduating Latino high school seniors from Hampden County.

Additional Guidelines

Students can receive up to $3,000 in scholarships from the Community Foundation.

Scholarship awards could impact the financial aid offered by a college, and students are advised to check with their college financial aid offices about this.

Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. Some part and/or all the award could be considered taxable income. It is advisable students check with the college or tax accountant regarding this matter.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds. 

Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible

Latino Scholarship Fund

To support graduating Latino high school seniors from Hampden and Hampshire Counties.

Additional Guidelines

• Students can receive up to $3,000 in scholarships from the Community Foundation.
• Scholarship awards could impact the financial aid offered by a college, and students are advised to check with their college financial aid offices about this.
• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. Some part and/or all the award could be considered taxable income. It is advisable students check with the college or tax accountant regarding this matter.

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is one of the most well-respected, knowledgeable leaders on charitable giving in the nation. We make giving convenient and efficient for donors through donor-advised funds and other types of charitable giving accounts that maximize and organize giving.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Kansas City Pride Community Alliance Scholarship Fund

The KCPCA Scholarship provides needed financial assistance to support LGBTQ+ students who are resident of Jackson, Clay, Platte or Buchannan counties in Missouri and Johnson, Wyandotte or Douglas counties in Kansas of all background and educational interests. We prioritize LGBTA+ students who need it most and who have some or all of the following experiences:

• People of color, Black, Indigenous
• Trans, Non-binary, Gender Expansive, Two spirit people
• People with disabilities – including people living with chronic illnesses, HIV, neurodivergence, mental health challenges
• People who have or are experiencing housing instability
• People living in rural areas
• People who have financial need without access to financial support
• People who have experienced family rejection.

Award

• $1,000

Judy Huang Scholarship

The scholarship was established by Judy Huang to support a college education for students who are Asian, in financial need, and demonstrate perseverance and hard work.

Award Amount:

• $5,000 payable over fours years at $1,250 per year.

Generally the Community Foundation's scholarships are awarded to applicants who have high financial need. Applicants with household income exceeding $100,000 are less likely to be awarded, but applying will allow you to be considered for targeted scholarships.

Miller Johnson Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship

Open to students of color accepted to or presently attending an accredited law school within the US with a permanent residence in Michigan or attending a Michigan law school with financial need and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

The Black Men Building Resources Scholarship, offered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, supports African-American undergraduates from Kent County. This scholarship aims to empower students pursuing college or career training by removing barriers to academic success. With awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, the program prioritizes applicants with high financial need, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to those who strive for educational advancement in West Michigan.

Unless noted otherwise in the scholarship description and criteria statement, applicants can attend accredited schools of their choice within the United States.

CFNJ scholarships awards vary. On average, awards range from $500 to $2,500. However, the award could be larger based on the number of qualified applicants and the parameters set by donors who have established the funds. 

ETV: Linda D. Murphy Village Strivers Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a Black/African-American graduating high school senior from Morristown or Morris Township who has demonstrated consistent academic improvement throughout high school. Applicants will be evaluated on their engagement through activities or programs that support the local community (community service, church engagement, or paid or unpaid work experience) and unmet financial need.

Growing Justice Fund Program

The Fund for Equitable Good Food Procurement is a multi-donor pooled fund driven by the wisdom and experience of funders, farmers and other workers in the food value chain with shared values and vision.

Awards Nearly $5M to 38 Community-Led Initiatives Supporting Values-Based Good Food Purchasing.

While community-serving institutions–such as schools, hospitals, and senior centers–spend billions annually on food purchasing, the benefits of these contracts have been largely bypassed by small- and mid-size producers, especially Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant producers. 

For the 2025 grant cycle, the Growing Justice Fund awarded a mix of Planning Grants and Implementation Grants, with grant amounts ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. These investments support projects that strengthen engagement with community-serving anchor institutions—including schools, hospitals, and elder care facilities—that hold significant purchasing power and can drive meaningful economic and social benefits for historically marginalized communities.

Priority Areas

Infrastructure:

Building and strengthening systems that enable equitable food purchasing, including support for historically disadvantaged producers, food hubs, and institutional partnerships.

Policy and Organizing:

Supporting grassroots organizing, educational policy advocacy, and capacity-building efforts that align institutional food purchasing practices with community-defined priorities.

Traditional Food Pathways:

Advancing food sovereignty within Tribal Nations by supporting traditional foodways, local food economies, and community-led approaches to Native food systems.