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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Latino high school or college-bound students pursuing full-time study at accredited 2- or 4-year institutions, including those from Arkansas, can receive more than US $1,000 through the Latinos Count Scholarship. Legacy Foundation pays awards directly to schools or for book reimbursement, with some scholarships renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

Rappahannock Industrial Academy Alumni Association Scholarship

Rappahannock Industrial Academy Alumni Association Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 by the Academy’s alumni to provide educational scholarships to qualifying African American students residing in one of the following counties: Essex, King and Queen and Middlesex. Students may attend public or private school.

Recipients will be encouraged to use this educational opportunity to enrich the lives of others in their home community. The Rappahannock Industrial Academy opened its doors on January 1, 1902 to provide secondary education for African American residents in the area. The Alumni Association has for many years awarded scholarships to students from Essex, Middlesex, and King and Queen Counties. 

American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students in Arkansas pursuing fine or performing arts, creative writing, film, visual arts, culinary arts, or related fields can apply for Native Forward Scholars Fund’s Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund Scholarship; awards $100 to $30,000 per year for accredited U.S. study.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship Fund

The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship Fund is responsive to workforce readiness needs. This scholarship will be available on a rolling basis, students may apply at any time. Randy, a member of the Board of Governors at The Community Foundation starting in June 2022, owned two businesses in the area until 2021, Ultimate Subaru and Ultimate Buick GMC. As an active businessperson, philanthropist and retiree, he seeks to give back to the community he calls home. Tina and Randy have been friends to the foundation through leadership and participation, also contributing to the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits and through the Randy and Tina Harris Family Charitable Fund. 

Apply for a Scholarship

While it is common for students to go to college after high school, earning a college degree isn’t the only option after high school, nor is it the right option for everyone.

The trades are vital, though often underappreciated, career fields that are essential for the functioning of society. Skilled trades are the backbone of our society and can be lucrative, stable career opportunities. In areas like construction, manufacturing, technology and medicine there are trades where people are able to make significant contributions to our world.

African Americans are very underrepresented in these fields. To ensure the brightest future possible, it’s crucial for African Americans interested in the trades to have the financial resources necessary to further their education.

Randy’s father, James Harris, had a successful career as a machinist and welder. He demonstrated that a college degree was not a necessity for a successful career. This scholarship was created for those African American students like James Harris, who are inspired to develop their talents in trades or taking non-traditional paths to further their education.

African-American high school seniors pursuing elementary education careers can receive scholarship support for college, with a focus on students from Palm Beach County. The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties supports Black American students through the Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Ellington Scholarship Fund; Arkansas minority-serving organizations may share this opportunity with eligible students they serve.

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students pursuing full-time library science degrees at accredited U.S. institutions can receive need-based financial assistance through the Jeanette Elmer Scholarship, including students from Arkansas. With a mission to support Indigenous education, Native Forward Scholars Fund provides scholarships to members and descendants of federally or state-recognized Tribes who document Tribal affiliation.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Katharine Scallan Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Katharine Scallan.

The purpose of the Katharine Scallan Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian tribal and Alaska Native graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in any field of study.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Katrin Lamon Fellowship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Katrin Lamon.

The purpose of the Katrin Lamon Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in literature, communication, journalism, or other related fields.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

KuuKuupa In Memoriam Endowed Fund

“In honor of William Daniel Ray and all our loved ones who we have lost.”

Willie had a huge heart and unconditionally loved his family – those he was given and those he chose. No matter how little he had, he was always willing to lend a hand to family and even a stranger in need. To honor him and the care and compassion he had for those around him, his family started the Kuukuupa Fund. To celebrate and honor Willie’s spirit and the person he was, his family hopes the Kuukuupa Fund can be a way for others to honor loved ones who have journeyed home by supporting Native students in their educational pursuits to achieve their dreams.

The KuuKuupa In Memoriam Endowed Fund was established to assist Native students who are facing financial hardships and challenges by providing them with a one-time relief award. The fund provides emergency support scholarships directly to students in need of assistance for emergency situations that includes, but is not limited to, food insecurity, emergency housing and utility costs, educational technology or technology-related resources, or other difficult choices that will benefit the student and their families in the hopes that some of those needs can be met.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship

The purpose of the Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited institution and pursuing degrees with a focus in Indigenous languages, natural resources, land management, and conservation or cultural preservation. 

This opportunity is a need-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Lynne Ruth Lafin Elmore Sucher Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Lynn Ruth Lafin Elmore Sucher.

The purpose of the Lynn Ruth Lafin Elmore Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students attending full-time at an accredited institution pursuing mathematics, Medicine, or life sciences are eligible to apply.

This opportunity is a need-based award.