Best Grants for BIPOC in California

The Herman Frasch Foundation Grant, administered by the American Chemical Society, supports research in agricultural chemistry with practical benefits for U.S. agriculture. Eligible applicants include tenured or tenure-track faculty within seven years of their first appointment. Grants of $50,000 annually for five years are available, with a focus on training students and disseminating research findings. The next application period opens on November 5, 2026, following a five-year cycle.

The Freeman Fellowship, established by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1924, supports young engineers pursuing graduate studies in hydraulic engineering. Awarded annually to up to three deserving students, it covers tuition, research, and living expenses. This fellowship encourages the next generation of civil engineers to excel in their education and contributes to the advancement of the field, reflecting ASCE's commitment to fostering talent within the profession.

The ARS Friends in Research Award, funded by the American Rhinologic Society, offers $25,000 over two years to support innovative research in rhinology. Eligible candidates include members who have completed residency without significant outside funding. The award encourages early and mid-career investigators to explore diverse areas within rhinology. Recipients can publish their findings, with the society retaining first refusal rights for publication. This grant aims to foster career development in the field of rhinology.

The PLTW Gateway grant from Chevron aims to enhance educational opportunities in San Ramon, California, by expanding Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs in local schools. With over $17 million invested since 2009, Chevron's support has transformed the educational landscape for nearly 250,000 students and 8,100 teachers across multiple states. This funding will facilitate the introduction of new units and training for teachers, ensuring sustainable growth and improved learning outcomes for K-12 students.

The Arts Impact Endowment (AIE) by the San Francisco Arts Commission aims to support local artists and organizations over the next five years, focusing on preventing displacement through grants and resources. The initiative emphasizes racial equity and social justice, aligning with the 2024-2029 Cultural Services Allocation Plan. By funding artists' work, their environments, and community connections, AIE seeks to enhance the vibrancy of San Francisco's cultural landscape, fostering creativity and positive social change.

The Special Project Grants (SPX) program by the San Francisco Arts Commission provides funding between $50,000 and $350,000 to support local artists and cultural initiatives. These grants aim to enhance community engagement and promote equity in the arts sector. Annually, the Board of Supervisors allocates funding through a transparent proposal process, ensuring that resources are directed towards impactful projects that reflect the diverse cultural fabric of San Francisco.

The Gunther & Lee Weigel Medical School Scholarship is an exclusive opportunity for current and former Elks National Foundation scholarship recipients pursuing medical or osteopathic degrees. This scholarship, established in memory of Gunther Weigel, aims to support Elks scholars entering their first year of medical school. The number and amount of scholarships vary annually, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to healthcare education.

The AJ Muste Foundation's Rapid Response Grants support U.S.-based organizations engaged in grassroots activism for social justice. These grants, up to $5,000, are aimed at addressing immediate needs of groups fighting for equality and liberation. The funding is designed for unexpected opportunities and emergencies, promoting powerful organizing efforts. The foundation prioritizes groups lacking traditional funding sources and those focused on systemic change rather than individual support.

The PLTW Launch grant, funded by Chevron, aims to enhance educational experiences for students in San Ramon by expanding Project Lead The Way programs. With a total award of $10,000 distributed over two years, the grant supports schools that commit to implementing at least two PLTW Launch modules. Since 2009, Chevron has invested over $17 million in PLTW, benefiting nearly 250,000 students and 8,100 teachers across multiple states. This initiative underscores Chevron's dedication to quality education.

Bengier Foundation

After lots of hard work and more than a bit of luck, Gary and Cynthia were able to retire from professional business careers at an early age. They decided then to try to give back a little to their community and to others less lucky than they. So the Bengier Foundation was formed in 2004 to give a helping hand to bright, hardworking young people who need a little help to find their own success.

One of our goals is to help – in a small way – to focus attention on the need to increase our American educational capital. The dropout rate statistics are shocking. We must do more to help the next generation prepare for the increasing demands of our ever-more sophisticated information economy. The Bengier Foundation believes that we must give everyone a chance to achieve their potential.

Bengier Foundation Grants

The foundation's mission is to provide educational experiences that motivate, broaden and qualify bright, hard working young people who have limited means and limited opportunities to enlarge their expectations of what they can accomplish in life.

• By motivate we mean to change a young person’s expectations about themself, by providing experiences which pique their interest, or that let them see themself in a role or career that they never previously imagined.
• By broaden we mean to allow a young person to have experiences that broaden their perspective of the world or cause them to view it and their role in it differently.
• By qualify we mean to help a young person gain the experiences and education that will allow them to succeed in college and in life.

The Limited Competition Small Grant Program for ORIP SERCA K01 Recipients provides funding to early-stage veterinary scientists to enhance their research capabilities and transition to independent investigator status. This initiative addresses challenges faced by these researchers, including reliance on funding from senior investigators. Grants support pilot studies, secondary data analysis, and development of research methodologies, aiming to foster independence within a two-year timeframe without funding clinical trials.

This funding opportunity from the NIH encourages groundbreaking research to enhance, develop, and preserve animal models and related biological materials for studies impacting human health. The program seeks innovative methodologies that can improve the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting animal use in biomedical research. Projects must demonstrate relevance across multiple NIH Institutes to align with broader research goals, emphasizing diverse body systems and disease categories.

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.

Sue Aplington Kreutz Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was established in 2020 to support first-year college students accepted into a four-year college or university.

The Alaska Community Foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives.

Scholarships at ACF

Each year, more than 60 scholarships are available to Alaska students—and it all starts with one simple application. With one login and one application, you’ll be considered for every scholarship you may be eligible for. Whether you’re taking your first step toward college, training for a career, or continuing your education, these scholarships are here to help carry you forward, backed by donors who believe in Alaska’s students and the futures they’re building. 

THS Patricia Roppel Memorial Scholarship Fund

The THS Patricia Roppel Memorial Scholarship is a $5,000 award made annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who is either enrolled or intends to enroll at an accredited college and majoring in history, pursuing the study of Alaska. 

The Tongass Historical Society is a private, non-profit corporation whose purpose is to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge of the history of Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska for present and future generations. Established in 1961, the Society brings together people of all ages who share an interest in Ketchikan’s rich and colorful heritage. The Tongass Historical Society is actively pursuing the preservation of the information and items intimate with our unique part of Alaska.

This scholarship is in memory of Patricia “Pat” Roppel– author, historian, and Alaskan. Pat moved to Alaska in 1959, where she and her husband Frank grew to love Southeastern Alaska. Her numerous published works about Southeast Alaska spanned various topics ranging from business to salmon hatcheries in the area.

Pat is remembered as someone who was open and loved to share her love and knowledge with others. Her legacy is remembered in the awarding of this scholarship.

The Zimmer Biomet Foundation offers educational grants to support organizations that focus on scientific, clinical, or healthcare education. These grants promote educational programs, independent conferences, and resident education, ensuring that the content remains unbiased and free from influence. Eligible applicants include educational institutions, training hospitals, and medical associations, while requests from individuals or private practices are not supported. By fostering education in healthcare, the foundation aims to improve community well-being and advance medical knowledge.

The Acorn Grant, offered by the California Native Plant Society's Orange County Chapter, supports public schools in Orange County for creating school gardens featuring native plants. With awards ranging from $150 to $1000, the grant aims to educate students about Southern California's native plant diversity while enhancing school environments. Recipients must showcase their gardens in the Society's communications, fostering community engagement and environmental awareness among students.

The PLTW Computer Science program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education in various communities by funding schools to implement PLTW courses. This partnership promotes student engagement with real-world challenges, preparing them for future careers in technology. With a total grant of $20,000, schools must offer multiple PLTW courses over two years, ensuring access to quality education for underserved populations.

The Fund for a Just Society Grant, offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association, supports nonprofit organizations that focus on social and economic justice through community organizing. This grant prioritizes innovative projects that seek systemic change and empower disenfranchised communities. Eligible organizations must operate with an annual budget under $500,000 and demonstrate a clear campaign for change. This funding aims to foster a more just society by addressing root causes and enhancing visibility for Unitarian Universalist principles.

The New Chaucer Society Early Career Fellowship, in collaboration with The Huntington Library, supports emerging scholars in medieval studies. This one-month fellowship, offering $3,500 plus travel expenses, encourages research on Chaucer's era within The Huntington's extensive collections. Open to early career scholars, the fellowship promotes the study of literature, manuscripts, and cultural contexts from Chaucer's time. Recipients must reside at The Huntington during their fellowship, fostering a vibrant academic environment.

The Beveridge Family Prize in American History, awarded annually by the American Historical Association since 1945, recognizes exceptional historical writing. Eligible works include biographies, monographs, and interpretations published in 2024. This prestigious award honors Senator Albert J. Beveridge and aims to promote outstanding scholarship on American, Latin American, and Canadian history. Recipients will be announced in October 2025 and celebrated at the 2026 AHA annual meeting in Chicago.

Robert J. & Kathryn W. Davis Scholarship

Award:

4-year award of $7,500 per year, renewable each year. Student must maintain a 2.75 GPA and remain in their major to renew their award each year. Possible medical school awards could follow if applicant moves on to medical school.

The CCS High School Chemical Safety Grant, offered by the American Chemical Society, aims to enhance chemical safety in secondary education. Educators can apply for up to $3,000 to support initiatives like curriculum integration of safety practices, advocating for safe chemical usage, and improving safety infrastructure. Eligible applicants include middle and high school science teachers in the U.S. Grants cover training, equipment, and workshops to promote a culture of safety in educational environments.

The NIH is set to release a funding opportunity for pragmatic and implementation trials aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of interventions in real-world healthcare settings. This initiative encourages collaborations across various health systems to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of interventions. By focusing on commonly encountered conditions in everyday clinical care, the trials aim to provide actionable insights for patients, clinicians, and policymakers. Interested investigators are encouraged to start developing their project proposals.

The ACTA Apprenticeship Program has been supporting California's cultural traditions for nearly 25 years by providing $5,000 contracts to mentor artists for intensive training of eligible apprentices. This program fosters the continuity of traditional arts through one-on-one mentorship, culminating in public presentations and documentation of the learning process. Eligible applicants must submit a collaborative application, demonstrating commitment and quality in their respective art forms. This initiative not only preserves cultural practices but also enhances community engagement.

The Lisa Libraries Book Grants provide essential resources to organizations in low-income or underserved areas, enabling them to establish or enhance small libraries. Founded in 1990 to honor children's book editor Lisa Novak, the initiative has donated over one million books to help children gain access to literature. If your organization serves children in need of books, consider applying for support to create a nurturing reading environment.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening offer the GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant to enhance community gardens across the U.S. This initiative supports programs that engage under-resourced communities, focusing on youth participation. In 2026, 120 grants of $750 will be awarded, with additional funding opportunities available through specialty awards for programs addressing specific needs, including those serving LGBTQ+ youth and communities of color.

The Association of Legal Writing Directors (ALWD) History Grant is designed to support projects that research, interpret, or celebrate the history of ALWD and its contributions to the legal writing discipline. These grants reflect ALWD’s commitment to preserving the history of ALWD, honoring community contributions, and making ALWD’s history accessible to scholars, teachers, and practitioners into the future.

Types of Fundable Projects

• Oral History & Interview Projects - Projects may include interviews with founders, early leaders, past presidents, award winners, or other members central to ALWD’s history. 
• Archival Preservation & Digitization - A project may include scanning, organizing, and preserving historical materials such as conference programs, newsletters, board minutes, and committee records, accompanied by the creation of searchable digital archives for long-term access.
• Creative Dissemination Projects - Short documentary films, podcasts, interactive digital exhibits, timelines, or “museum-style” digital or physical installations are possible projects.
• Conference Integration  - Projects may include the preparation of history-focused materials for ALWD’s biennial conferences, such as poster sessions, anniversary exhibits, or a temporary “history wall.”
• Publications & Reflections  - Written projects may include essays, case studies, memoir pieces, or historical analyses suitable for publication