Best Grants for Minorities in Kansas

Kansas NCAA Division II colleges and multisport conference offices can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, entry-level athletics administration internships for ethnic minorities and women. Awards of US $30,000 plus professional development support one academic-year position focused on areas like strategic planning, compliance, student-athlete welfare, and diversity initiatives.

Kansas NCAA Division II conferences and institutions can access funding through National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions that enhance ethnic minority and gender representation. Grants support roles with responsibilities such as strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare, within a broader U.S. and Canada Division II program.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions to increase ethnic minority and gender representation can receive US $48,000 over three years for salary, wages, and benefits. With a mission to advance diversity in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Kansas and other Division II institutions with multi-year support for these roles.

Kansas minority health and physical education professionals who are long-standing SHAPE America members may be eligible for the E.B. Henderson Award recognizing scholarship, mentorship, and service to underserved populations. Kansas minority services can access funding through Society of Health and Physical Educators, with up to two national awards presented annually to honor increased minority involvement in the profession.

Presbyterian undergraduate students, including those from minority communities in Kansas, can receive up to US $6,000 to pursue their first associate or bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. college or university. Grants from Presbyterian Mission Agency help full-time PC(USA) church members access academic scholarship support for the 2025–2026 year.

Minority high school seniors and GED students pursuing higher education, primarily students of color, may be eligible for renewable scholarships supporting college costs, though this program is not limited to Kansas. Community Foundation of South Puget Sound’s Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship assists graduates from Thurston and Pierce counties who show significant financial need and a strong commitment to others, with awards of US $3,000.

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 Kansas. Reboot Representation Tech Coalition prioritizes multi-geo, research-backed initiatives and welcomes initial inquiries; full proposals are by invitation only.

Minority high school seniors and recent graduates pursuing postsecondary education can receive scholarship support for higher education or technical training. Focused on educational opportunities for African American and other minority youth, The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond offers the John E. Thomasson Scholarship, which may benefit Kansas students considering eligible Virginia institutions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509(a) organizations working on minority and community-focused services can seek general operating support in Kansas and nationally. Focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, STEM/STEAM, veterans, women, LGBTQIA+, and racial and ethnic community services, Deluxe Corporation Foundation invites eligible nonprofits to partner with its employee resource groups for $25k ERG grants.

Undergraduate engineering students from marginalized ethnicities and genders in Kansas and across the U.S. can apply for the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship, awarding up to US $20,000 for tuition and other educational costs. Applicants must pursue accredited engineering degrees and demonstrate a commitment to climate action and community impact.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those from Kansas, can seek scholarships supporting college costs through the Loren and Norma Hill Scholarship Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. With a mission to support minority students, this fund offers up to US $3,000 for tuition, fees, room and board, and related expenses.

Focused on minority services, Innovia Foundation invites Kansas Black, Indigenous, and other students of color to pursue the Diversity in Advertising Scholarship supporting marketing, advertising, design, or computer science studies. Eligible students in Innovia’s 20-county service region must show academic achievement, with preference for those active in school, community service, or work.

Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, including those from Kansas, can apply for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Indian Motorcycle Academic Scholarship, awarding US $5,000 per year for academic support. Eligible applicants must be AISES members with a 3.0+ GPA studying engineering, IT, manufacturing, supply chain, or related STEM areas.

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 stipend and education funding. Eligible scholars must have previously participated in an LSAMP undergraduate program and may include those studying in Kansas.

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.

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.

NextEra Energy (NEE) Foundation Scholarship

The purpose of the NextEra Energy (NEE) Foundation scholarship, in partnership with NextEra Energy Foundation, is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited institution and pursuing degrees with a focus in environment, energy, cultural sustainability, or a major in a STEM or STEM-related discipline. Native American students pursuing degrees that prepare them for the renewable energy workforce are encouraged to apply. 

This program will award 16 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 per academic year. 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.

Native Forward Student Relief Funding

Native Forward Scholars Fund established the Student Relief Funding to assist Native students who are facing financial hardships and challenges by providing them with a one-time relief award. The fund will be utilized to help support students in emergency situations that includes, but is not limited to, food insecurity, emergency travel costs, emergency housing costs, educational technology or technology-related resources, or other educational expenses.

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.

Lynne Ruth Lafin Elmore Sucher Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Lynn Ruth Lafin Elmore Sucher.

The purpose of the Lynn Ruth Lafin Elmore Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students attending full-time at an accredited institution pursuing mathematics, Medicine, or life sciences are eligible to apply.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students in Kansas studying Indigenous languages, natural resources, land management, conservation, or cultural preservation can receive need-based scholarships to attend accredited U.S. institutions. With a mission to support Indigenous services, Native Forward Scholars Fund provides awards from $100 to $30,000 per year for eligible Tribal members and descendants.

Native American and Alaska Native college students in Kansas facing financial hardship can apply for Native Forward Scholars Fund’s KuuKuupa In Memoriam Endowed Fund, with awards ranging from $100 to $30,000 per year, to cover emergency needs. Funding supports food, housing and utilities, educational technology, and other urgent expenses for degree-seeking students at accredited U.S. institutions.

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in literature, communication, journalism, or related fields can receive need-based tuition support for full-time study at accredited U.S. institutions. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund help eligible students, including Tribal descendants, with financial aid determined through their institution’s financial aid office, which may benefit those from Kansas and other states.

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in Kansas pursuing full-time study at accredited U.S. institutions can receive need-based tuition support in any field. With a mission to advance higher education for Native communities, Native Forward Scholars Fund provides the Katharine Scallan Scholarship to students who demonstrate tribal affiliation through a Tribal Eligibility Certificate, including eligible descendants.

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.

Jeanette Elmer Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Jeanette Elmer.

The purpose of the Jeanette Elmer 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 library science.

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.

Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund Scholarship

The Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund is provided in honor of members of the Hillman, Barnett, and Adkins families. The purpose of the Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students enrolled at an accredited not-for-profit college/university, vocational school, or Tribally controlled college or university (TCU) and pursuing degrees with a focus in Fine Arts (studio arts), Performing Arts (music, drama, musical theater, dance), Creative Writing, Art History, Visual Communication, Photography, Culinary Arts, Film (Cinematography, Screenwriting), or Fashion Design & Jewelry Design.

This opportunity is a merit-based award.

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.

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. 

General Hospital #2 Perpetual Trust Fund

To provide scholarships for African-American students enrolled in the Registered Nursing program in any accredited school of nursing in the five county Greater Kansas City area (Jackson, Clay and Platte Counties in Missouri; and Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas) and in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Award

• $1,000