Best Diversity Grants for Nonprofits in Louisiana

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions enhancing ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration can apply for the Strategic Alliance Matching Grant. This national program funds full-time positions with responsibilities like strategic planning, compliance, and diversity initiatives, and Louisiana schools and conferences may be eligible if they are active Division III members.

Louisiana NCAA Division III member institutions seeking to enhance diversity in athletic coaching staffs can receive funding for newly created assistant coaching positions through the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The grant supports salary, wages, and benefits for two years, with a required institutional match, and focuses on ethnic minority and gender representation in NCAA-sponsored sports.

Louisiana artists and culture bearers of color working on social change projects can access funding through the National Performance Network’s Southern Artists for Social Change program. Grants up to US $25,000 support civic practice projects in any discipline that center racial justice and community collaboration, with a portion of funds directly supporting the artist(s).

Louisiana library, health, and community organizations focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion can access funding through the National Library of Medicine’s Network of the National Library of Medicine to support virtual professional development in health information and data science. Grants of US $2,000 help NNLM Region 3 members attend online conferences, workshops, or classes that improve health information access for underrepresented communities.

Individuals and NNLM Network Member organizations in Louisiana seeking professional development in health information, data science, or DEI-focused library services can apply for the Professional Development Award, with awards of US $2,000. National Library of Medicine funding may support conferences, courses, expert speakers, or educational activities to better serve underserved and underrepresented communities.

Louisiana libraries, NNLM network members, and related organizations conducting health information outreach or exhibits can apply for National Library of Medicine Exhibit Awards, with grants of US $2,000. Focus areas include promoting health literacy, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and reducing health disparities, especially for minority and underrepresented communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Louisiana within 50 miles of a James Avery retail or corporate location can apply for James Avery Charitable Foundation’s corporate grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $25,000 for community-focused programs. Funding supports diversity, equity and inclusion, education, arts, wellness, veterans, first responders, and community development initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Louisiana within 50 miles of a James Avery location can seek more than US $10,000 to support arts, community service, wellness, and diversity initiatives. James Avery Charitable Foundation offers limited cash sponsorships and in-kind support for direct-service programs that enrich quality of life, including diversity, inclusion, and belonging efforts.

Postdoctoral research scientists from nationally underrepresented backgrounds conducting cancer-related biomedical, behavioral, clinical, or social science research in the U.S. can receive career development support to transition into independent faculty roles. The National Institutes of Health provides three years of salary and research support, which may benefit Louisiana organizations hosting eligible researchers and advancing diversity in science.

Louisiana diversity, equity, and inclusion–focused medical and translational research programs can access funding through the National Institutes of Health for small R03 projects. Eligible NCATS CTSA Program KL2 scholars and CTSA diversity or re-entry supplement recipients may secure up to US $100,000 for pilot studies, methodology development, or other short-term clinical and translational science projects.

Grants support early-stage and new investigators conducting independent research on deafness and other communication disorders, including hearing and speech-language issues, across the U.S. and territories. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help Louisiana diversity, equity, and inclusion–focused health researchers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, pursue R01 projects within the NIDCD scientific mission areas, with awards up to US $2,500,000.

Nurses in the U.S. pursuing advanced degrees to become or advance as full-time nurse educators can receive $8,000 for tuition, books, and research expenses. Focused on nursing and diversity, equity, and inclusion, the National League for Nursing and Health Carousel Foundation invite eligible applicants, including those serving Louisiana communities, to apply.

Nurses from historically marginalized or excluded groups pursuing advanced nursing degrees and careers as full-time nurse educators can receive US $8,000 for tuition, books, and research expenses. Focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, National League for Nursing invites eligible first-generation students in accredited programs, including those from Louisiana, to apply after completing one academic year.

Early-career writers in the U.S. seeking mentorship and professional development can receive US $1,500 and a five-month virtual fellowship to advance fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry projects. Louisiana diversity, equity, and inclusion advocates may be eligible if they are emerging writers from underrepresented communities participating fully in PEN America’s Emerging Voices Fellowship programming.

The Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences recognizes individuals or institutions promoting inclusiveness in the chemical sciences. This award includes a medal, a $1,250 grant, and reimbursement for travel expenses up to $1,500 for attending the ACS regional meeting where the award is presented. Eligible nominees must foster programs that increase participation from diverse groups in the chemical enterprise.

Local Data for Equitable Communities CFP

This call for proposals (CFP) invites eligible nonprofit organizations in the U.S. to apply for a grant to collect, analyze, and use data to address inequities in the physical, economic, and social conditions of a place. Improving these conditions is key to achieving health equity where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. Structural racism is one of the leading barriers that results in inequities in conditions within and across communities. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) expects to award up to 30 grants of $50,000 each, with a period of performance of nine months. The Urban Institute, as the national coordinating center for this program, is collaborating with RWJF on program design, grantee support, and communications.

Local data can be valuable tools to make progress on building places that offer everyone the chance to be as healthy as possible. Community organizations and residents can use data to understand challenges, set priorities, advocate for what is important to them, and hold others accountable for promised changes.

The goals of the Local Data for Equitable Communities grant program are to:

• Inform public policy and improve the physical, social, and economic conditions of places
• Build local capacity to use data for action
• Strengthen the use of equitable data practices
• Document successful practices for more communities to learn from and adapt

Funding

• Type of Award: Awards funded under this opportunity will be structured as grants.
• Number of Awards: Up to 30 awards will be funded.
• Amount of Award: Each award will be up to and including $50,000.
• Award Duration: Awards will be nine months.

The ACS Award for Encouraging Women Into Careers in the Chemical Sciences recognizes individuals who promote women's interests in chemistry, fostering their professional development. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize, a certificate, and a $10,000 grant to an academic institution designated by the recipient. Additionally, up to $1,500 for travel expenses to the award presentation will be reimbursed. This initiative highlights the importance of diversity in the chemical sciences and supports women's career advancement.

The Advancing Equity Through Oral Health Funds, initiated by CareQuest Institute, seeks to transform oral health systems by supporting projects that dismantle disparities faced by marginalized communities. The program encourages organizations to propose innovative solutions that enhance access to dental care, engage community voices, and promote policies that ensure equitable health outcomes for all. This initiative aims to create a more integrated and accessible healthcare system, particularly for historically underserved populations.

The AISES RISE Scholarship offers $2,000 annually to support Indigenous students pursuing careers in STEM, particularly in the casino gaming industry. This initiative, powered by Aristocrat Gaming, aims to empower Indigenous talent through exposure, resources, and programming. Eligible applicants must be full-time students and current AISES members, demonstrating a commitment to their education and community. The scholarship seeks to enhance diversity in STEM fields by providing critical financial support to deserving students.

The AISES Indigenous Peoples Education Fund (IPEF) Scholarship offers $5,000 to support Indigenous students pursuing degrees in STEM fields. This scholarship is available to current AISES members who are full-time students and enrolled citizens or descendants of recognized Native American tribes. AISES aims to empower these students, fostering diversity in STEM while recognizing the importance of education as a tool for personal growth and community development.

The STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship (SMRS), offered by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), provides funding up to $10,000 for occupational therapy graduates and clinicians from underrepresented backgrounds to enhance their research representation. This scholarship supports participation in mentored research experiences at different institutions, focusing on building critical skills in research methods. By pairing awardees with experienced mentors, the program aims to foster diversity and inclusion within the occupational therapy field.

The AISES Stellantis Scholarship aims to enhance the representation of Indigenous peoples in STEM fields. Funded by Stellantis, this scholarship offers $20,000 for full-time students enrolled in colleges with Mopar Career Automotive Programs. Eligible candidates must be current AISES members and either enrolled citizens or descendants of recognized Indigenous groups. The program not only supports education but also fosters a diverse and inclusive workforce within the automotive industry.

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 Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) program aims to enhance diversity in the research workforce by supporting early career investigators from underrepresented backgrounds. This initiative includes a K99/R00 career transition award for postdoctoral scholars and a UE5 cooperative agreement to foster mentoring, networking, and professional development. With multiple application deadlines from 2024 to 2027, MOSAIC is dedicated to facilitating successful transitions into tenure-track or equivalent research-intensive faculty roles.

The Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) program aims to enhance diversity in research by supporting early career investigators from underrepresented backgrounds. This initiative offers a K99/R00 career transition award for postdoctoral scholars and a UE5 cooperative agreement that provides mentorship and professional development. The program's goal is to ensure successful transitions into independent, tenure-track faculty roles in NIH mission areas, ultimately fostering a more inclusive scientific community.

The MOSAIC Organizational Research Education Award aims to enhance diversity in biomedical research by supporting educational initiatives for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. This NIH program focuses on developing skills through creative courses and mentoring activities designed for the next generation of researchers. Organizations with a proven track record in professional development and networking are encouraged to apply, helping to prepare K99/R00 grantees for successful faculty careers in research-intensive institutions.

The MOSAIC Postdoctoral Career Transition Award (K99/R00) aims to enhance diversity in the biomedical sciences by supporting early career investigators from diverse backgrounds. This program facilitates the transition from mentored postdoctoral positions to independent faculty roles. Awardees will receive NIH research support and engage in professional development, mentoring, and networking activities to foster their competitive research careers, ultimately contributing to a more diverse scientific workforce in NIH mission areas.