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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Scholarship

The purpose of the PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students from one of the nineteen Pueblo Nations of New Mexico who are pursuing a certificate, vocational trade, or degree.

This program will award 15 scholarships per academic year. This opportunity is a merit-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.

Ruth Muskrat Bronson Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Ruth Muskrat Bronson.

The purpose of the Ruth Muskrat Bronson Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible federally recognized Tribal members of Oklahoma pursuing graduate or professional degrees full-time in Nursing or a health-related field.

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.

PNM Pueblo Relief Scholarship

Native Forward Scholars Fund, in partnership with PNM, established the Pueblo Student Relief Scholarship to assist Pueblo students who are facing financial hardships and challenges by providing them with a one-time relief scholarship. The fund will be utilized to help support students in emergency situations that include, but is not limited to – food insecurity, emergency travel costs, emergency housing costs, emergency healthcare costs, educational technology or technology-related resources, childcare costs, 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.

PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Part-Time Scholarship

The purpose of the PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Part-Time Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students from one of the nineteen Pueblo Nations of New Mexico who are pursuing a certificate, vocational trade, or degree.

This program will award six scholarships per academic year. This opportunity is a merit-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.

PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Everett F. Chavez Scholarship

The PNM Everett F. Chavez Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the life and legacy of Everett F. Chavez. The purpose of the PNM Everett F. Chavez Memorial Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to eligible students from one of the nineteen Pueblo Nations of New Mexico who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in the field of engineering. This opportunity is a merit-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.

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Scholarship

The purpose of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian tribal and Alaska Native graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in any field of study.

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.

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.

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.

Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship

The purpose of the Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship 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 Indigenous languages, natural resources, land management, and conservation or cultural preservation. 

This opportunity is a need-based award.