Best Grants for Minorities in Wisconsin

Federally recognized tribal governments in Wisconsin can receive matching funds to run summer programs engaging Native youth ages 13–19 in hands-on natural resource conservation projects. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources supports staff, youth stipends, training, equipment, materials, and limited construction to build skills, mentorship, and interest in environmental careers through culturally grounded, community-driven initiatives.

Healthcare providers and clinics in Wisconsin employing licensed nurses, certified nurse-midwives, or physician assistants who are members of racial minority groups can receive funding to support reproductive health and family planning services. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services offers up to US $315,000 total across multiple grant periods through this Women’s Health Block Grant opportunity.

Wisconsin NCAA Division II colleges and multisport conference offices can apply for National Collegiate Athletic Association funding to create a full-time, yearlong athletics administration internship that advances ethnic minority and women’s representation. Awards of US $30,000 support intern salary, with an additional US $3,000 for professional development in areas like planning, compliance, and diversity initiatives.

NCAA Division II colleges and multisport conference offices in Wisconsin can apply for the Strategic Alliance Matching Grant to fund full-time, mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions that enhance ethnic minority and gender representation. Funding supports roles with responsibilities such as strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare.

NCAA Division II colleges creating new assistant coaching positions to increase ethnic minority and women’s representation can apply for the Coaching Enhancement Grant, including schools in Wisconsin. With a mission to support diversity in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides US $48,000 over three years toward salary, wages, and benefits.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions in Wisconsin can apply for the Strategic Alliance Matching Grant to create or expand full-time, mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions focused on diversity and inclusion. Grants from the National Collegiate Athletic Association support roles that advance ethnic minority and gender representation in leadership while overseeing key athletic department functions.

Wisconsin NCAA Division III member institutions seeking to create new assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation can apply for this coaching enhancement grant. Focused on diversity in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides two years of matched funding to support salary, wages, and benefits for the hired assistant coach.

Minority health and physical education professionals in Wisconsin who are long-standing SHAPE America members may be eligible for the E.B. Henderson Award recognizing scholarship, mentorship, and service to underserved populations. Grants from Society of Health and Physical Educators honor individuals increasing minority involvement in HPERD fields and within SHAPE America nationwide.

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 and universities, including those in Wisconsin. Focus areas include Black, Hispanic and Latino, and Asian American services. Presbyterian Mission Agency awards up to US $6,000 per student through this program.

Minority high school students pursuing education careers in Wisconsin can receive renewable scholarship support to become certified teachers in Janesville. The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin provides this funding for multicultural students from Janesville high schools who plan to apply for employment with the School District of Janesville and maintain required academic standards.

Minority students pursuing marketing, advertising, design, or computer science at accredited institutions can receive scholarship support for their education, including those from Wisconsin. Focused on diversity in advertising and related fields, Innovia Foundation favors applicants who show academic achievement and may give special consideration to community involvement, school activities, and work experience.

Undergraduate engineering students in the U.S. from marginalized ethnicities and/or genders can receive renewable support for tuition and related educational costs through the PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship, administered by the Architecture Foundation of Oregon. Wisconsin students pursuing mechanical, electrical, renewable energy, architectural, or civil engineering with a passion for climate justice may be eligible.

Minority high school seniors and recent graduates in Louisa or Fluvanna County Public Schools can receive funding for postsecondary education, including technical schools and four-year colleges. Grants from The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond support African American and other minority students, with preference for those attending select Virginia Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those from Wisconsin, can receive up to US $3,000 for college costs through scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. With a mission to support minority services, the foundation provides one-year awards that may be reapplied for annually and used toward tuition, fees, and living expenses.

Graduating high school seniors or GED students pursuing higher education, especially students of color with financial need, can apply for the Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship from Community Foundation of South Puget Sound; awards US $3,000 and is renewable for up to three additional undergraduate years. Wisconsin students with similar backgrounds and goals may find this opportunity relevant.

Nonprofit organizations with 5+ years serving Black, Latina, and Native American women and girls can seek funding to recruit and retain them in college-level computing programs, including in Wisconsin. Focused on research-backed, data-driven initiatives, Reboot Representation Tech Coalition prioritizes multi-geo programs that leverage existing infrastructure and funding to expand inclusive computer science pathways.

Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, including those from Wisconsin, can receive US $5,000 academic scholarships to support higher education. The American Indian Science and Engineering Society offers this award for AISES student members in mechanical engineering, IT, manufacturing, supply chain, or related STEM areas, serving Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Indigenous Canadian communities.

American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing STEM PhD programs can receive substantial graduate scholarship and support funding, including a US $88,000 package, through Montana State University's LSAMP Bridge to Doctorate Scholars Program. With a mission to enrich graduate education, the program serves eligible U.S. students, including those from Wisconsin, who previously participated in an LSAMP undergraduate program.

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")

Growing Justice Fund Program

The Fund for Equitable Good Food Procurement is a multi-donor pooled fund driven by the wisdom and experience of funders, farmers and other workers in the food value chain with shared values and vision.

Awards Nearly $5M to 38 Community-Led Initiatives Supporting Values-Based Good Food Purchasing.

While community-serving institutions–such as schools, hospitals, and senior centers–spend billions annually on food purchasing, the benefits of these contracts have been largely bypassed by small- and mid-size producers, especially Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant producers. 

For the 2025 grant cycle, the Growing Justice Fund awarded a mix of Planning Grants and Implementation Grants, with grant amounts ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. These investments support projects that strengthen engagement with community-serving anchor institutions—including schools, hospitals, and elder care facilities—that hold significant purchasing power and can drive meaningful economic and social benefits for historically marginalized communities.

Priority Areas

Infrastructure:

Building and strengthening systems that enable equitable food purchasing, including support for historically disadvantaged producers, food hubs, and institutional partnerships.

Policy and Organizing:

Supporting grassroots organizing, educational policy advocacy, and capacity-building efforts that align institutional food purchasing practices with community-defined priorities.

Traditional Food Pathways:

Advancing food sovereignty within Tribal Nations by supporting traditional foodways, local food economies, and community-led approaches to Native food systems.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Ellington Scholarship Fund

Founded by Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Lovett Ellington, this scholarship is available to African-American graduating senior from any Palm Beach County high school who will be pursuing a career in elementary education.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship Fund

The Randy and Tina Harris Family Scholarship Fund is responsive to workforce readiness needs. This scholarship will be available on a rolling basis, students may apply at any time. Randy, a member of the Board of Governors at The Community Foundation starting in June 2022, owned two businesses in the area until 2021, Ultimate Subaru and Ultimate Buick GMC. As an active businessperson, philanthropist and retiree, he seeks to give back to the community he calls home. Tina and Randy have been friends to the foundation through leadership and participation, also contributing to the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits and through the Randy and Tina Harris Family Charitable Fund. 

Apply for a Scholarship

While it is common for students to go to college after high school, earning a college degree isn’t the only option after high school, nor is it the right option for everyone.

The trades are vital, though often underappreciated, career fields that are essential for the functioning of society. Skilled trades are the backbone of our society and can be lucrative, stable career opportunities. In areas like construction, manufacturing, technology and medicine there are trades where people are able to make significant contributions to our world.

African Americans are very underrepresented in these fields. To ensure the brightest future possible, it’s crucial for African Americans interested in the trades to have the financial resources necessary to further their education.

Randy’s father, James Harris, had a successful career as a machinist and welder. He demonstrated that a college degree was not a necessity for a successful career. This scholarship was created for those African American students like James Harris, who are inspired to develop their talents in trades or taking non-traditional paths to further their education.

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

Rappahannock Industrial Academy Alumni Association Scholarship

Rappahannock Industrial Academy Alumni Association Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 by the Academy’s alumni to provide educational scholarships to qualifying African American students residing in one of the following counties: Essex, King and Queen and Middlesex. Students may attend public or private school.

Recipients will be encouraged to use this educational opportunity to enrich the lives of others in their home community. The Rappahannock Industrial Academy opened its doors on January 1, 1902 to provide secondary education for African American residents in the area. The Alumni Association has for many years awarded scholarships to students from Essex, Middlesex, and King and Queen Counties. 

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

James P. Humphrey, Black Achievers Scholarship

Shelby County residents who are of African-American descent and a graduating senior at a Shelby County High School maintaining a high school GPA of no less than 2.0.

Selection based upon (in order of priority):

Financial need, academic ability, demonstrated community and school service, and recommendations, and an interview.

Awards Vary.

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.

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