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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Keisha M. Michael Memorial Scholarship

Essay: Topic:

• “How a college education will help me make an impact on the community and affect my life.”

Award:

• One time award of $1,500. Awardees can re-apply.

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

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.

Fund the Dream Scholarship

The Fund the Dream Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 by the Hispanic Alliance, GA. The purpose of this scholarship is to ‘Build the Dream, One Graduate at a Time.’ Minority students from first-generation/low-income backgrounds face systemic roadblocks while navigating the college admissions process. Graduating seniors coming from low-income families are seven times more likely to drop out than those from families with higher income. In addition, 74% of Latino students enrolled in colleges and universities in the U.S. cut their education short due to the financial pressures of supporting their families. To help mitigate the educational opportunity gap and student debt crisis, the Hispanic Alliance Georgia Fund the Dream Scholarship will support one student who has huge aspirations for their life and is willing to work through anything to achieve them. This scholarship is funded by proceeds from the annual Latino Fest in Gainesville, Georgia and is part of our commitment to making academic and scholarship support more accessible for all students.

When choosing a recipient, the selection committee will take into consideration factors such as the applicant’s academic achievement, financial need, immigration status, volunteering efforts, future educational goals, and responses to essay question. Special consideration will be given to students participating in the Latino Youth Leadership Academy. The 2026 scholarship will be a one-time award of $1,500.