Best Grants for Minorities in Arkansas

Nonprofit organizations, hospitals, public schools, and government agencies in Arkansas can seek funding for programs serving African American and other underserved residents, including education, health, youth development, families, and economic development. With a mission to strengthen communities, Arkansas Community Foundation provides support that considers impact, sustainability, collaboration, and local financial backing; typical awards range from US $1,000 - US $2,500.

Arkansas NCAA Division III member colleges and universities can receive funding to create new assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation in any NCAA-sponsored sport. National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Arkansas athletic programs with two years of salary and benefits support, helping advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in Division III coaching staffs serving minority athletes.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions working to increase ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles in Arkansas can apply for the Strategic Alliance Matching Grant. This National Collegiate Athletic Association program supports full-time positions handling strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions to increase ethnic minority and gender representation in athletics can apply for this coaching enhancement grant, including schools in Arkansas. With a mission to support diversity in sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides US $48,000 over three years toward salary, wages, and benefits.

Arkansas NCAA Division II conferences and institutions seeking to increase ethnic minority and women’s representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Grants support five-year, full-time administrative positions with responsibilities like strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare, within a broader national program.

Arkansas colleges and athletic conferences serving minority communities can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, entry-level athletics administration internships. Grants provide US $30,000 for intern salary plus professional development support, helping increase ethnic minority and women’s representation in Division II athletic administration roles for one academic year.

Arkansas minority health and physical education professionals with long-term SHAPE America membership can be honored for scholarship, mentorship, and service that expand opportunities for ethnic minorities and underserved groups. Arkansas minority educators can access funding through Society of Health and Physical Educators’ E.B. Henderson Award, which recognizes up to two outstanding members annually across the U.S.

Presbyterian undergraduate students in Arkansas and across the U.S. seeking their first associate or bachelor’s degree can receive scholarship support for full-time study at accredited colleges or universities. Grants from Presbyterian Mission Agency may particularly benefit Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American Presbyterian students through its Financial Aid for Service programs.

Undergraduate engineering students from marginalized ethnicities or genders in Arkansas can apply for the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship, awarding up to US $20,000 for tuition and other direct educational costs. Eligible students study mechanical, electrical, renewable energy, architectural, or civil engineering at a U.S. four-year college and are passionate about climate justice.

Nonprofit organizations with a 5+ year track record serving Black, Latina, and Native American women and girls can seek funding to recruit and retain them in college-level computing programs, including in Arkansas. Reboot Representation Tech Coalition prioritizes multi-geometry, research-backed initiatives, which may benefit minority-serving education and equity programs.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those from Arkansas, can seek scholarships supporting college costs such as tuition, fees, and room and board. With a mission to support educational opportunities, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts provides up to US $3,000 for one academic year, and applicants are considered for multiple scholarship funds through a single application.

Graduating high school or GED students pursuing higher education who are primarily students of color and have significant financial need may be eligible for the Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship, including minorities in Arkansas studying in the U.S. Community Foundation of South Puget Sound offers about US $3,000, renewable for up to three additional undergraduate years.

Focused on postsecondary education for minority youth, The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond invites students of African American or other minority heritage to apply for the John E. Thomasson Scholarship. Arkansas students may be eligible if they attended Louisa or Fluvanna County (Virginia) public schools and are admitted to an accredited college or technical school.

Focused on minority education, Innovia Foundation invites Arkansas students of color studying marketing, advertising, design, or computer science to apply for the Diversity in Advertising Scholarship. Eligible applicants must live within Innovia’s 20-county service region, attend an accredited institution, and demonstrate academic achievement; community service and work experience receive special consideration.

Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in STEM, including those from Arkansas, can apply for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Indian Motorcycle Academic Scholarship, awarding US $5,000 per year for academic study. Eligible applicants must be AISES members, full-time students in qualifying STEM fields, and meet tribal or Indigenous ancestry and GPA requirements.

American Indian and Alaska Native students in STEM who are U.S. citizens and entering a PhD program can apply for Montana State University's LSAMP Bridge to Doctorate support, awarding US $88,000 in stipends and education allowances. Eligible scholars from Arkansas and nationwide must also have participated in an undergraduate LSAMP program.

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.

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 American Indian Scholarship

The purpose of the Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate (juniors and seniors) and graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution.

Undergraduate (juniors and seniors) students must be pursuing a degree in the gaming, tourism, financial, or hospitality industries. Graduate students must be pursuing a degree in business or a gaming/hospitality-related field. This includes banking, resort management, gaming operations, or management and administration (including accounting, finance, information technology, and human resources).

The maximum amount of an undergraduate award is $2,500 and the maximum amount of a graduate award is $5,000 per academic year. This opportunity is a need-based award.

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.

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.

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.

Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program 

The Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program, created in the memory of Jane Wilson Hooper and Colonel Philip L. Hooper, provides financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Technology (Associate of Applied Science) full-time at an accredited institution. 

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

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.

Grace Wall Barreda Memorial Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Grace Wall Barreda.

The purpose of the Grace Wall Barreda Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in Public Health or Environmental Science/Studies.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

LinkScholars Program Scholarship ($2,000) 

This renewable scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, or Sumter counties in South Carolina.