Best Grants for BIPOC in California

The Curry Award for Girls and Young Women, established by Eleanor Williams Curry, offers scholarships to young women aged 18-26 in San Mateo County. Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship and have a GPA of 3.3 or lower. This fund encourages those who have faced significant challenges, including ethnic or racial discrimination and physical disabilities, to pursue their education in a supportive environment. Preference is given to students from specific high schools and those planning to enroll as full-time college students.

The Sidney R. Baer, Jr. Foundation offers Clinical Research Grants to support advancements in the treatment and understanding of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Focused on organizations with IRS tax-exempt status, these grants aim to enhance mental health services and research. By funding initiatives in cognitive and behavioral sciences, the foundation seeks to improve the lives of those affected by serious mental illness, ensuring they receive the support and resources necessary for a better quality of life.

The FY26 Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) Clinical Trial Award supports clinical trials aimed at addressing health issues from military-related toxic exposures. This initiative encourages collaboration through a Partnering Principal Investigator Option, enhancing interdisciplinary research efforts. Projects range from early-phase trials to large-scale studies, focusing on innovative treatments and management strategies for affected populations. The goal is to expedite the translation of research findings into effective clinical applications.

JFO Music & Cultural Arts Programs

This scholarship opportunity is available year-round.

The current program requirements include the following:

• Scholarships are awarded on a financial-need basis.
• Scholarships are available only to Jewish residents of the Omaha metropolitan area.

The Get Schools Cooking Grant supports medium-sized U.S. school districts in transforming their meal programs from processed to scratch-cooked foods. In partnership with the Chef Ann Foundation, it offers a multi-year journey that includes workshops, assessments, and collaborative planning, with a value of nearly $250,000 per district. Eligible districts must demonstrate commitment to fresh, whole foods, leadership support, and self-operated food service.

Tree and Soil Research Fund for Landscape Architecture Grant Program

The TREE Fund Board of Trustees is launching the new Tree and Soil Research Grant, made possible by a permanently restricted endowment fund supporting areas of research of interest to the landscape architecture community with special focus in the area of trees and the soils that support them. Projects are expected to be completed within one to three years, with a maximum award value of $10,000. No project may receive more than one award from this program. 

Award amount:

• up to $10,000 (minimum $5,000) 

Mission & Vision

Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grantmaking.

Our Mission:

We are cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.

Our Vision:

We envision a Greater Rochester region transformed by enduring philanthropy, where every person, neighborhood, and future generation can thrive.

John W. Burandt Scholarship

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide support for tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with post-secondary education for dependents of firefighters residing in the city of Rochester, NY.

Number and Size of Awards

One award of $2,000; paid in the Fall and and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Donor Information

This scholarship was established by Mrs. Lorene (Rene) Burandt in honor of her husband, John W. Burandt, a dedicated firefighter who served the Rochester community for 30 years.

The Bernice Barlow NAACP Scholarship, awarded by the Saginaw Community Foundation, supports high school seniors pursuing higher education or vocational training. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be current members or children of members of the Saginaw NAACP Branch. This scholarship honors Bernice Barlow, a dedicated educator and NAACP leader, providing financial assistance to foster educational opportunities in the community. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, helping students achieve their career goals.

The DoW Toxic Exposures Translational Research Award aims to foster translational research that bridges military-related toxic exposure studies and clinical applications. This program encourages innovative collaborations by allowing for a Partnering Principal Investigator Option, enhancing interdisciplinary partnerships. By integrating basic science with clinical insights, the initiative seeks to expedite the development of impactful health care products and interventions to address toxic exposures faced by military personnel.

The Alice Kleeman and Joseph Buttram Impact Scholarship, established in 2008, honors the journey of Joe Buttram, who overcame challenges with the support of mentors like Alice Kleeman. This scholarship aims to empower current high school seniors and community college students from specific local schools, promoting access to higher education for those with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and demonstrated financial need. It reflects Joe's commitment to uplifting students who share his determination and potential.

The Student Research Grant in Audiology, offered by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation, supports doctoral students conducting research in clinical and rehabilitative audiology. Up to three grants of $2,000 each are available for eligible students enrolled in accredited programs in the U.S. This initiative honors the legacies of Ira Ventry and Brad Friedrich, who made significant contributions to the field of audiology. Interested candidates must submit proposals for research projects to be initiated in this vital area.

The Lynn E. Poffenberger Memorial Scholarship Fund, established by the Middle Paxton Lions Club, honors the legacy of Mr. Poffenberger by providing annual scholarships to two graduating seniors. Eligible applicants must reside in Middle Paxton Township or Dauphin Borough, demonstrate financial need, and show active community involvement. This one-time scholarship aims to support deserving students in their educational pursuits, reflecting the values of service and commitment to the community.

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Women in Leadership of Central Illinois Scholarship Fund

The Women in Leadership of Central Illinois Scholarship Fund was established by the Women in Leadership of Central Illinois to provide scholarship support for women in the Tri-County (Peoria) area, who are pursuing secondary or post-graduate education or certification at an accredited college or university.

Women in Leadership Mission

To promote leadership among women by providing mentoring, networking, and educational opportunities.

The CAC/Robert L. Viera Community Service Scholarship, established in 1998, supports Saginaw County high school seniors pursuing higher education. This award assists students demonstrating financial need and recognizes those with special circumstances allowing part-time college enrollment. The scholarship honors Robert Viera's legacy of leadership in the minority and low-income communities, aiming to empower future leaders through education and community service. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, ensuring accessibility to higher education for deserving students.

The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) aims to enhance maternal and child health, promote early childhood development, and support family well-being. By providing voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services to pregnant women and families with young children, the program addresses critical needs in communities. Funded by the US HHS: Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), MIECHV empowers families through tailored support and resources, fostering healthier outcomes for mothers and their children.

The Level 1 Fair Housing Grant, offered by the National Association of REALTORS®, supports initiatives aimed at educating REALTORS® on fair housing issues. Grants can fund classes, forums, or workshops, with a maximum award of $3,000. Starting in 2025, the grant will also support expenses related to the At Home With Diversity class to align with new training requirements. This initiative ensures REALTORS® have the resources to promote diversity and inclusion in their communities.

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

We the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians are the most diverse confederation of Tribes and Bands on a single reservation in the United States. Our ancestors spoke 10 completely different languages, each of which had multiple dialects. Our ancestors brought with them deep connections to more than 20 million acres of ancestral territory combined, including all of Western Oregon from the summit of the Cascade mountains to the Pacific and extending into what’s now SW Washington State and northern California. Our ancestors signed many treaties with the United States. We were promised the 1.1 million acres Siletz Reservation as our permanent home, but following massive reservation reductions Congress passed the Western Oregon Termination Act in 1954 (took effect in 1956), and our federally recognized status as a tribe was also taken. In 1977 our lobbying of Congress to repeal our Termination was successful, and we became the second formerly Terminated Tribe to regain federal recognition as a Tribe.

Education

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz seeks to provide opportunities for Tribal members to reach potential, establish independence and improve quality of life through lifelong learning and education.

NWIHA – Youth Scholarship Program

Scholarship applications will be reviewed to meet the following minimum eligibility before any further review of the application will be done.

• Applicant must either have an application pending or a letter of acceptance from a higher education institution such as a four (4) year college or a two (2) year community college prior to the funds being sent to the higher educational institution.
• Applicant must be less than twenty four (24) years old on the deadline submission date.
• Applicant must be an enrolled member from one of the NWIHA member Tribes.
• Payments are made directly to the school, organization, etc. and not to the Applicant or their families.
• All of these items must be postmarked on or before March 31st of each year, or the Application will be automatically rejected.
• Faxed applications will NOT be accepted.
• All Applications become the property of NWIHA. NWIHA reserves the right to publish essays.

The James V. Gray Memorial Scholarship, established by the Erie Community Foundation, honors a dedicated educator and coach. This need-based scholarship supports Erie School District graduating seniors who have been accepted into accredited colleges with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In 2023, the Foundation awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to assist more than 500 deserving students in their pursuit of higher education.

The Chronic Care Telehealth Centers of Excellence Program, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, aims to enhance chronic care management through innovative telehealth technologies. This initiative will support academic medical centers in integrating comprehensive telehealth services for chronic disease prevention, management, and acute episode treatment. The centers will also contribute to research publications, establishing national benchmarks for effective telehealth integration in chronic care.

The Everett & Roy Hill Music Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, supports graduating seniors from Chelan, Douglas, or Okanogan counties who are pursuing further education in music. This scholarship emphasizes the importance of musical education, reflecting the philanthropic spirit of Everett Hill, who aimed to enrich his community. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 to continue receiving support for up to two years.

The James V. Gray Memorial Scholarship II, awarded by the Erie Community Foundation, supports Erie County graduating seniors pursuing two-year programs with a minimum GPA of 2.5. In 2023, the foundation awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to help over 500 students achieve their educational dreams. This need-based scholarship honors James Vincent Gray, a dedicated teacher and coach, reflecting the foundation's commitment to education and community development.

The Ruth Mitchell Hanson Scholarship is designed to support talented students from Saginaw County pursuing a career in music. Established in memory of Ruth Mitchell Hanson, a passionate composer and music instructor, this scholarship aims to honor her legacy and encourage future musicians. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.25, be high school seniors, and be enrolled full-time in a music program at an accredited college or university. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000.

About Lions Club International FoundationLions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) provides grants that empower the service of our members. Since its inception in 1968, LCIF has awarded more than US$1.3 billion in grant funding.  Mission :Our mission is to empower Lions clubs, volunteers and partners to improve health and wellbeing, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian service and grants that impact lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding. And we fulfill it every day, everywhere we serve.Lions Club International Hunger Grant ProgramHunger Grants focus on strengthening infrastructure and providing essential equipment for Lions’ hunger-relief efforts. These grants empower Lions to support vital initiatives such as school feeding programs, food banks and feeding centers, ensuring that those in need receive the nourishment they require. These grants support infrastructure and equipment acquisition for Lions’ projects focused on alleviating hunger.Grant Examples: 

• Construction or expansion of food banks, feeding centers and food storage facilities.
• Purchase of refrigerators and freezers to store perishable food items.
• Vehicles to transport, collect and deliver food.

The Bee Foundation For Brain Aneurysm Prevention (TBF) invites proposals that further the mission of reducing the number of deaths caused by brain aneurysms. Proposals directed at understanding the early detection, pathophysiology, genetic predisposition, or treatment will take priority. Proposals from a variety of disciplines (including but not limited to translational Neurosciences, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Radiology, Genetics) are encouraged and multidisciplinary proposals that illustrate a multi-faceted approach will be weighted highly.The purpose of this program is to promote novel approaches to the early detection and prevention of ruptured cerebral aneurysms, or early emergency and critical care treatment (excluding device therapies). We invite proposals that test an innovative hypothesis or develop new outcomes via interdisciplinary or translational research. Applications with more than one investigator must indicate how the different expertise of the co-investigators will contribute to the overall goals of the project.  Grant Funding:

• $20-25,000 total amount to be distributed, but not limited to only 1 awarded applicant
• Applicants may request up to $25,000

Exelixis Grants & Giving focuses on impactful charitable contributions, supporting non-profit organizations in community support, healthcare-related initiatives, independent patient assistance, medical education, and sponsorships. Their aim is to enhance oncology care, particularly for renal cell carcinoma and other cancer types, while ensuring proposals are submitted within specified timelines. Exelixis partners with organizations dedicated to improving patient outcomes and community health, demonstrating their commitment to making a difference beyond medicine.

The Cooperative Development Fund Grant supports cooperative development, research, and technical assistance for cooperatives focused on seniors, international development, and affordable housing. Grants, typically ranging from $20,000 to $30,000, are awarded once a year, with a two-stage application process: a concept paper followed by a full proposal for selected applicants. Up to two grants are awarded annually, with decisions announced shortly after the Advisory Board meeting in January.

The Graduate Education Fund offers the South Australia Defence, Space & Cyber Scholarship for scholars from the USA and South Australia. This scholarship supports PhD and Post-Doctoral research in Defence, Space, and Cyber Security, ensuring candidates have affiliations with educational institutions. Awarded funds, up to US $40,000, can cover tuition, travel, and living expenses. Applications are due in March for USA to Australia and September for Australia to USA, promoting collaboration in research between the two nations.