Best Grants for Women in Hawaii

NCAA Division II member colleges and universities, including those in Hawaii, can receive support to create new assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and women’s representation in any NCAA-sponsored sport. With a mission to advance diversity in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides up to US $48,000 over three years for salary, wages, and benefits.

Hawaii colleges and athletic conferences that are active NCAA Division II members can access funding to create full-time, mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions focused on diversity and leadership. These roles cover areas like strategic planning, compliance, fundraising, and student-athlete welfare, and may particularly benefit programs advancing opportunities for women in sports leadership.

Hawaii colleges and athletic conferences serving women and ethnic minorities in NCAA Division II administration can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, entry-level athletics administrative internships. Awards of US $30,000 support intern salary, plus additional professional development funds, for one academic year at eligible Division II schools or multisport conference offices.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with 3+ full-time staff and budgets between $500,000 and $10 million can seek L B Research and Education Foundation support for education and health programs, including in Hawaii. Funding backs proven, research-informed initiatives that close opportunity gaps for underserved adolescents, post-secondary students, and adults, or improve access to physical and mental health care. Awards range from US $10,000 - US $75,000.

Nonprofits and community organizations in Hawaii supporting women and children’s legal access, safety, health, or education can apply for Hawaii Women's Legal Foundation microgrants of US $500 - US $5,000. Funding is typically project-based, with priority for efforts addressing domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse, financial independence, and overall welfare statewide, including neighbor islands.

Hawaii nonprofits and fiscally sponsored programs serving only women and girls can access funding through Women’s Fund of Hawaii for general operations, special projects, and small capital needs, with awards up to US $10,000. Priority goes to programs advancing women’s financial security, safety, leadership, and well-being, especially for girls, Native Hawaiian communities, and rural areas.

Women pursuing STEM degrees can receive scholarship funding for tuition, fees, and related educational expenses through Central Indiana Community Foundation’s Gretchen Miller Bowker Scholarship. Focused on higher education and vocational training, this opportunity may benefit Hawaii women and girls seeking financial support for accredited college, university, or technical and trade programs.

Hawaii women seeking higher education or adult learning opportunities may be eligible for the McMichael Family Scholarship, which supports women over 21. Crown Point Community Foundation administers this non-renewable award through a single application considered alongside many other scholarships, offering potential support for college or continuing education costs.

Adult women learners returning to school and residing in Crown Point, Indiana can receive scholarship support for adult education through the Alvin & Kathryn Schmidt Scholarship. Grants from Crown Point Community Foundation help women and girl services and academic scholarship programs; women in Hawaii pursuing similar opportunities may explore this national listing for comparison.

The Bob Zylstra STEM Scholarship, offered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, supports undergraduate students who identify as female or as students of color from West Michigan. This scholarship aims to empower students pursuing STEM majors by removing barriers to education and fostering diversity in these fields. Each year, the foundation awards scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 to help students achieve their academic and career aspirations.

Female or female-identified high school students pursuing higher education and active in volunteerism can benefit from this scholarship, which supports women and girl services. Scranton Area Foundation awards the Cinderella’s Closet of NEPA Scholarship to students from specific Northeastern Pennsylvania counties who have 50+ documented volunteer hours and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Scranton Area Foundation provides Hawaii women and girls pursuing further education with scholarship support through the Irene Zurine Memorial Scholarship. Traditional and nontraditional students planning higher education or adult education may be eligible. This national opportunity supports educational access and equity for women and girls across the U.S., including Hawaii.

Female high school seniors pursuing higher education who attend Scranton or West Scranton High School and live in Lackawanna County may be eligible for this scholarship, supporting women and girl services. Scranton Area Foundation offers the Junior League of Scranton Scholarship, which may interest women-focused applicants, including those searching alongside Hawaii opportunities.

Women who are unemployed or under-employed and pursuing post-high school education can receive multiyear tuition and college expense support through the Women's Education Coalition Grant, including residents of Hawaii studying in eligible programs. Grants from Kalamazoo Community Foundation help women in higher education and vocational training cover costs within their institution’s cost of attendance.

Women age 19 and older pursuing two- or four-year college degrees may receive up to US $3,000 in scholarship support, including for students from Hawaii attending accredited U.S. institutions. Grants from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts help women and girl services by easing higher education costs such as tuition, fees, and room and board.

High school seniors pursuing STEM degrees with a focus on advancing gender equity may be eligible for the Athena Scholarship in Hawaii and nationwide. The San Diego Foundation offers US $1,000 - US $5,000 to students planning to attend a four-year U.S. university who demonstrate community service, financial need, and strong commitment to education.

Postdoctoral women scientists in microbiology at U.S. institutions, including those based in or from Hawaii, can receive up to US $2,000 to travel for meetings, lab visits, or courses that build research or leadership skills. With a mission to support women in science, American Society for Microbiology provides this career development travel award.

Young women ages 18–25 in Hawaii engaged in grassroots justice organizing can apply for the Grassroots Voices program to strengthen their leadership and community impact. With a mission to invest in extraordinary women leaders, Vital Voices Global Partnership provides U.S.-based participants with cohort-based training, networking, and an in-person leadership experience in Washington, D.C.

Mid-career women of color environmental leaders, including those based in Hawaii, can apply for Rachels Network’s Catalyst Award organizational grant, offering US $10,000 to their organizations. Funding supports leaders advancing environmental conservation, sustainability, and stewardship, and may benefit groups focused on empowering women and girls through environmental initiatives.

Mid-career women of color environmental leaders in Hawaii can receive personal support to advance work in sustainability, conservation, and environmental stewardship. Grants from Rachels Network help U.S.-based women and girl service leaders with a US $15,000 personal award, plus potential organizational funding, leadership development services, and public recognition.

Nonprofit women and girl service organizations in Hawaii working in the U.S. or its territories can receive US $25,000 to support community-focused causes, education, child welfare, or development efforts. With a mission to honor women who uplift their communities, L'Oreal Paris provides these Women of Worth Awards with mentorship and national visibility.

The Bernice M. Brightbill Fund Scholarship offers a one-time award to a senior female student from the Central Dauphin School District pursuing a college degree in business studies. This scholarship aims to support students demonstrating financial need, regardless of citizenship or documentation status. Eligible applicants can apply for multiple scholarships and may be selected for any or all they qualify for, promoting accessibility in education.

 YWCA Clark County Chan Barnett Scholarship

The mission of the YWCA Clark County Scholarship is to advance, support and promote education for women returning to the workforce.

The YWCA Clark County Scholarship was founded in 1994 by Channing R. R. Barnett with the purpose of helping women acquire training they need to become employable and self-sufficient.

Channing was sixty when she left her marriage. She had been a wife and mother for thirty two years - and worried she had no 'marketable skills' with which to support herself. Conquering her fears, Chan enrolled in Clark College's Displaced Homemakers Program. With the support of other women, Chan began to explore and develop her own talents. Drawing on her strong conviction to 'paddle her own canoe' she decided to make the most of her resources.

Reading the Wall Street Journal from cover to cover, taking advantage of every free resource she could find, and having the confidence to call investment brokers and ask lots of questions eventually paid off! As Chan said, she went from, "just having my toes in the stock market, then my ankle, and now I'm swimming up to my neck!"

The support she received from YWCA during this challenging time inspired Chan to start YWCA Scholarship. Her personal success is an inspiration to us all; it is her hope to pass along that inspiration to other women who face similar challenges.

Award Amount

One to two scholarships in the range between $1,000 - $4,000 may be awarded at the scholarship committee's discretion.

The Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky High School STEM Scholarship Fund provides financial support to female high school seniors from Erie, Huron, or Ottawa County, Ohio, who plan to pursue a degree in STEM or medical fields at accredited institutions. Established by the Zonta Club, this scholarship aims to empower young women to contribute positively to their communities by facilitating access to higher education opportunities. Since its inception, it has fostered academic growth and leadership among recipients.

The Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky offers a scholarship fund aimed at supporting female residents of Erie, Huron, Ottawa, or Sandusky Counties, Ohio. This fund is specifically for women aged 23 and older who are returning to education after a break. Eligible candidates must be enrolled in a 2-4 year undergraduate program at an accredited institution, empowering them to enhance their educational and professional prospects.

The College Women's Club Charitable Fund Scholarship aims to support female graduating seniors from selected high schools in Erie County, Ohio, who are pursuing undergraduate degrees. With a focus on financial need and a minimum GPA requirement of 3.5, this scholarship encourages young women to contribute positively to their communities. Since its inception in 1995, the fund has played a vital role in enhancing educational opportunities and fostering leadership among local students.

The Cohen-Tucker Dissertation Fellowship Program, established by ASEEES in 2015, supports doctoral students conducting research in Russian/Soviet historical studies. With a stipend of up to $28,000, it is open to students from all disciplines. A special focus is given to Women's and Gender Studies. Applicants must be doctoral students at US universities, proficient in relevant languages, and able to defend their dissertations during the fellowship tenure. Preference may be given to research on the Soviet era.