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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Grace Wall Barreda Memorial Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Grace Wall Barreda.

The purpose of the Grace Wall Barreda 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 Public Health or Environmental Science/Studies.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

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

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

LinkScholars Program Scholarship ($2,000) 

This renewable scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, or Sumter counties in South Carolina.

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 HEEF: Hispanic Education Endowment Fund Scholarship provides academic financial support to US Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Dream Act/AB 540 students residing in Orange County, California. With awards starting at $2,500, this fund assists high school and community college transfers who demonstrate financial need and plan to enroll in a four-year college or university in Fall 2025. Additional donor-specific sub-funds offer varying amounts, enhancing accessibility to higher education.

The Avel Louise Gordly Scholarship supports Black women graduates of Oregon high schools who wish to pursue post-secondary education in Oregon or at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Award amounts vary, with the possibility of renewal for up to four years. Eligible applicants must be Oregon residents, identify as Black and female, and enroll at least half-time in a public or nonprofit private college or university in the United States.

The BIE Special Higher Education Program offers financial assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native graduate and professional students enrolled full-time in accredited institutions across various fields. Awards fluctuate annually based on applicant qualifications and available funding, ensuring support aligns with need-based criteria. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate Tribal affiliation through a Tribal Eligibility Certificate. This initiative aims to empower Indigenous scholars in their academic pursuits.