Best Grants for Minorities in District of Columbia

Community-based organizations serving Black men in the District of Columbia can receive US $45,000 - US $49,999 to run a mobile outreach initiative connecting Wards 7 and 8 residents to primary care and social supports. District of Columbia Department of Health funding may benefit groups focused on minority and Black American services.

African-American Presbyterian congregations and ministries in the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, including the District of Columbia, can seek funding for clergy recruitment, Christian education, congregational leadership, youth and young adult ministry, and new initiatives. Synod of the Mid-Atlantic provides support for mission projects that strengthen African-American churches and their surrounding communities within its geographic bounds.

Recent Black college graduates interested in public service can apply for the CBCF Walmart Emerging Leaders Internship in the District of Columbia; awards US $4,000 plus housing for a full-time, semester-long placement. Participants gain congressional office experience, policy exposure, and leadership development that can benefit future work serving minority communities.

Recent Black graduates interested in communications, public service, and policy-making can access funding and professional experience through a semester-long internship in the District of Columbia; awards US $4,000 plus housing for press and media relations work on Capitol Hill. Grants from Congressional Black Caucus Foundation help minority participants build skills in economic development, civic affairs, and communications.

Recent Black graduates interested in public policy careers in the District of Columbia can receive US $4,000 stipends, housing, and full-time spring internships through the Pathways to the C-Suite program. Congressional Black Caucus Foundation places interns with congressional offices and committees to build leadership, economic empowerment, and civic engagement experience for the Black community.

NCAA Division II member schools and multisport conference offices in the District of Columbia can apply for the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Ethnic Minorities and Women’s Internship Grant, awarding US $30,000 for a full-time, entry-level athletics administrator plus professional development support. Funding supports internships that build experience in planning, budgeting, compliance, student-athlete welfare, and diversity initiatives.

NCAA Division II colleges and multisport conferences enhancing ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration can apply for the Strategic Alliance Matching Grant, including those in District of Columbia. Funding supports five-year, full-time administrative positions covering strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions to increase ethnic minority and gender representation can apply for the Coaching Enhancement Grant, including schools in District of Columbia. With a mission to advance diversity in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides US $48,000 over three years toward salary, wages, and benefits for the hired coach.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions in the District of Columbia can apply for support to create full-time, mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions that advance ethnic minority and gender representation. Grants from National Collegiate Athletic Association help fund roles covering strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

Eligible legal aid organizations, qualified attorneys, and entities in the District of Columbia can apply for Legal Services Corporation’s Basic Field Grant; awards approximately US $20,000 for civil legal services. Funding supports full-service legal assistance for low-income people, including minority and Native American communities, within designated service areas across the U.S. and territories.

Division III colleges and universities seeking to create new assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation can apply for this coaching enhancement grant in the District of Columbia. Focused on diversity in NCAA-sponsored sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association funds two years of salary, wages, and benefits support, with institutional matching required.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth of color in underserved Washington, DC communities can apply for Foot Locker Foundation’s Community Empowerment Program; awards US $25,000 - US $100,000 for youth programming or capital improvements. Eligible groups focus on health, wellness, education, mentoring, or career development and include people of color in leadership, with budgets under $5 million.

Doctoral students in psychology or related fields focusing on ethnic minority issues can receive up to US $4,500 to spend 8–12 weeks working on public policy in Washington, DC. Grants from Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues help District of Columbia minority-focused scholars engage in policy research, advocacy events, and professional development opportunities.

Grants from Society of Health and Physical Educators help minority health and physical education professionals advance scholarship, mentorship, and service nationwide, including in the District of Columbia. Eligible nominees are long-term SHAPE America minority members with at least ten years in HPERD settings who have expanded involvement of ethnic minorities and underserved populations; up to two awards are given annually.

Undergraduate and associate-degree students who are Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members can receive scholarships for full-time study at accredited U.S. colleges or universities, including those in the District of Columbia. Focus areas include Black American, Hispanic and Latino, and Asian American services, and awards are up to US $6,000 from Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

Diversity in Advertising Scholarship

The scholarship is intended for students studying Marketing, Advertising or Design with a career focus of Digital Marketing, Advertising, Design and/or Computer Science at any accredited institution. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement.

Special consideration will be given to those active in school activities, community service, and work experience. Previous recipients of this award are eligible to reapply. 

Nonprofit organizations with 5+ years serving Black, Latina, and Native American women and girls in computing can seek funding to recruit and retain them in college-level tech programs. Focused on computer science education and equity, Reboot Representation Tech Coalition invites programs, including those in District of Columbia, with strong impact data and multi-geography reach.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those from the District of Columbia, can receive up to US $3,000 for college costs such as tuition, fees, and room and board. With a mission to support equity in education, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts provides one-year scholarships, with preference for residents of Hampden County.

Minority high school seniors and recent graduates pursuing postsecondary education can receive scholarship support for college or technical school, including HBCUs. Grants from The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond help students from Louisa and Fluvanna County public schools, particularly African American youth, which may interest District of Columbia programs serving similar communities.

Minority high school seniors and GED students pursuing higher education can receive US $3,000 scholarships, including those from the District of Columbia. With a mission to support students’ educational futures, Community Foundation of South Puget Sound prioritizes students of color who show significant financial need, have overcome obstacles, and demonstrate a strong commitment to others.

The PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship offers a renewable $5,000 award for undergraduate students from marginalized ethnic backgrounds or genders pursuing engineering at a U.S. university. Established in 2024 in partnership with PAE, the scholarship aims to enhance diversity in engineering fields, focusing on candidates committed to climate justice. Awardees benefit from mentorship and networking opportunities with industry professionals, fostering both academic success and community impact.

The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Bridge to Doctorate Scholars Program, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to recruit and retain minority graduate students in STEM fields. This program offers significant benefits, including a $32,000 annual stipend and $12,000 educational allowance for two years, fostering a supportive community through monthly dinners for Indigenous graduate students. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, and have participated in an LSAMP program.

The AISES Indian Motorcycle Academic Scholarship offers $5,000 annually to support Native students pursuing degrees in STEM fields. Sponsored by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, this scholarship aims to empower Indigenous students and enhance diversity in STEM. Eligible applicants must be current AISES members, full-time students, and enrolled citizens or descendants of recognized Native tribes. This scholarship not only provides financial assistance but also fosters community and innovation within the STEM landscape.

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 Richmond African American Scholarship, established by The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, aims to support African American students from public high schools in Richmond. This scholarship provides financial assistance for college expenses and is awarded to students based on academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. Eligible candidates must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and plan to enroll in a full-time Baccalaureate program at an accredited institution after graduation.

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 Elizabeth Furber Scholarship honors the legacy of Elizabeth Furber by providing financial assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students. This scholarship supports students pursuing full-time degrees in various fields, including fine arts, music, and creative writing. As a need-based award, it requires applicants to demonstrate Tribal affiliation through a Tribal Eligibility Certificate. This opportunity empowers eligible students to achieve their academic goals.