Best Grants for Minorities in Iowa

Nonprofit and community organizations in Iowa that engage AmeriCorps members in community service and volunteer programs can apply for funding to strengthen underserved communities. With a mission to improve lives through service, Volunteer Iowa provides support for initiatives such as minority services, youth mental health, poverty alleviation, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement that may benefit diverse and underrepresented Iowans.

Iowa NCAA Division III member institutions seeking to create new assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation can receive salary and benefits support through this grant. National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Iowa athletic programs with two years of matching funding for a new assistant coach role to advance diversity in any NCAA-sponsored sport.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions in Iowa and nationwide can apply for grants to create full-time, mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions advancing ethnic minority and gender representation. The National Collegiate Athletic Association supports roles involving strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare through this five-year Strategic Alliance Matching Grant.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions to increase ethnic minority and gender representation can receive US $48,000 over three years for salary, wages, and benefits. With a mission to advance inclusive athletics, National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Iowa and other Division II institutions with support for diversity-focused coaching roles in any NCAA-sponsored sport.

Iowa NCAA Division II conferences and institutions seeking to improve ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Grants support full-time positions with responsibilities such as strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

Iowa NCAA Division II schools and multisport conference offices can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, entry-level athletics administration internships for ethnic minorities and women. Awards of US $30,000 plus professional development support one-year positions in areas like strategic planning, compliance, student-athlete welfare, and diversity initiatives.

Iowa minority health and physical education professionals who are long-time SHAPE America members can be honored for scholarship, mentorship, and service advancing ethnic minority and underserved communities. Iowa minority educators can access funding through Society of Health and Physical Educators’ E.B. Henderson Award, which recognizes up to two recipients annually across the U.S.

Presbyterian undergraduates in Iowa and across the U.S. seeking their first associate or bachelor’s degree can receive scholarship support for full-time study. Grants from Presbyterian Mission Agency help Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members, including Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American students, attend accredited colleges or universities during the 2025–2026 academic year, with awards up to US $6,000.

Nonprofit organizations running research-backed programs to recruit or retain Black, Latina, and Native American women and girls in college-level computing may be eligible for funding in Iowa and nationwide. Reboot Representation Tech Coalition supports multi-geometry, community-embedded initiatives with strong impact data and at least five years of experience serving these minority communities.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those from Iowa, can seek scholarship support for college costs such as tuition, fees, and room and board. With a mission to support students of color, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts provides up to US $3,000 through the Loren and Norma Hill Scholarship Fund, with preference for residents of Hampden County.

Graduating high school seniors or GED students pursuing higher education who are students of color and have significant financial need may be eligible for the Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship in Iowa and beyond, with awards of US $3,000. Community Foundation of South Puget Sound manages this renewable scholarship, prioritizing applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to others.

Focused on higher and technical education, The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond invites minority students to pursue postsecondary study through the John E. Thomasson Scholarship. Youth of African American or other minority heritage in Louisa or Fluvanna County (VA) public schools may be eligible for US $1,000 awards, which can complement other aid for Iowa-focused programs.

Iowa Black, Indigenous, and other students of color pursuing marketing, advertising, design, or computer science studies can seek scholarship support for their education. Focused on diversity in advertising and related digital fields, Innovia Foundation invites applicants who show academic achievement, with preference for those engaged in school activities, community service, or work experience.

Undergraduate engineering students from marginalized ethnic or gender groups in Iowa and across the U.S. can apply for Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s renewable PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship, awarding up to US $20,000 for tuition and other direct educational costs. Applicants must study accredited engineering and show commitment to climate justice and community impact.

American Indian and Alaska Native students starting a STEM PhD in the U.S., including those from Iowa, can apply for Montana State University’s LSAMP Bridge to Doctorate support; awards US $88,000 for graduate study. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens and past participants in an LSAMP undergraduate program.

Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, including those from Iowa, can apply for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Indian Motorcycle Academic Scholarship, awarding US $5,000 per year for education costs. Eligible applicants must be AISES members with a 3.0 GPA and tribal, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Indigenous Canadian 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.

Wells Fargo Scholarship for Undergraduates

The Wells Fargo Scholarship for Undergraduates provides financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in any field of study.

The maximum amount of an academic year award is $5,000. This opportunity is a need-based award.

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.

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

The HEEF: Hispanic Education Endowment Fund Scholarship provides academic financial support to US Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Dream Act/AB 540 students residing in Orange County, California. With awards starting at $2,500, this fund assists high school and community college transfers who demonstrate financial need and plan to enroll in a four-year college or university in Fall 2025. Additional donor-specific sub-funds offer varying amounts, enhancing accessibility to higher education.

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 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 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.

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.

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.