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.

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.

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 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.

Focused on Black American services, Dow Company Foundation invites District of Columbia minority-serving nonprofits, 501(c)(3) faith-based groups, and public agencies to apply for Dow Promise grants. Eligible organizations in listed service areas can receive up to US $10,000 for community-identified social, economic, or environmental initiatives benefiting Black youth and adults.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Rene Hernandez Scholarship Fund

Hispanic graduating seniors in Travis and Williamson county.

Awards

• (1) $2,000.00

Osborn scholarship

The Osborn scholarship is for BIPOC students with demonstrated financial need, who are enrolled in or planning to pursue an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree program in landscape architecture or civil engineering. Priority will be given to students with a demonstrated a commitment to developing public infrastructure and/or public places in the State of Washington. The intention of the scholarship is to create opportunities for those who have faced historic barriers to access to these professions in the United States. The scholarship founders believe that the design challenges of the 21st century require diverse voices to solve. They look forward to the stronger design solutions to which future scholarship recipients will contribute. Scholarship applicants must demonstrate the grit, resiliency and aptitude that is necessary for success in these professions. This may be demonstrated by any combination of at least two of the following characteristics: overcame a significant personal challenge to maintain at least a B average at school, honor roll grade point average, demonstrated ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, demonstrated service contributions to their community.

Awards

• $5,000 - $10,000

CRST Wicozani Wiwokiaye Oyate Scholarship for Nursing

To provide financial support to Native American students pursuing a registered nursing degree.

For a Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) member aiming to earn a nursing degree, if there are no eligible CRST candidates, the scholarship will be accessible to another tribal member. Proof of tribal enrollment is required for both applicants. This scholarship is available to students in their second through fifth years who have sustained a GPA of 2.0 or above. When applying for this scholarship, articulate how your nursing education will contribute to enhancing the health outcomes of Native American communities.

(Pronunciation is: Wee-Cho-Zan-Ee, Wee-Woke-Ee-Eye-Aye, Oh-Yah-Tay. Which is Lakota for "Health Helpers Society")