Best Grants for Minorities in Missouri

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 enhance diversity in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Missouri institutions and other Division II schools with support for inclusive sports coaching roles.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions in Missouri and nationwide can receive funding to create full-time, mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions that enhance ethnic minority and gender representation. National Collegiate Athletic Association support covers roles involving strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

Missouri NCAA Division III member institutions seeking to create new assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation can receive salary and benefits support through this grant. The National Collegiate Athletic Association provides two years of matching funding for these diversity-focused coaching roles, supporting efforts that benefit minority student-athletes and campus communities.

Missouri NCAA Division II conferences and institutions seeking to expand ethnic minority and women’s representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Grants support full-time positions over five years with duties such as strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare, within a broader U.S. and Canada program.

Missouri minority-serving athletics programs and NCAA Division II conference offices can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, entry-level administrative internships. Awards of US $30,000 support intern salary plus professional development, helping increase ethnic minority and women’s representation in areas like compliance, budgeting, student-athlete welfare, and diversity initiatives across eligible Division II members.

Missouri minority health and physical education professionals with at least ten years in HPERD settings who are long-standing SHAPE America members may be eligible for the E.B. Henderson Award. Missouri minority educators can access funding through Society of Health and Physical Educators, which honors exemplary scholarship, mentorship, and service to ethnic minorities and underserved populations.

Presbyterian undergraduate students, including those from minority communities in Missouri, can receive scholarship support for their first associate or bachelor’s degree through this program. Grants from Presbyterian Mission Agency help U.S. PC(USA) church members attend accredited colleges full-time in 2025–2026, with awards up to US $6,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509 organizations working on minority and community-focused initiatives, including Black, Hispanic, and other underrepresented groups, may be eligible for operating support through Deluxe Corporation Foundation’s ERG Grant Program. Focus areas include financial literacy, STEM/STEAM, entrepreneurship, women’s and veterans’ services, disaster recovery, and human dignity, with eligibility extending nationally and to parts of Missouri and nearby regions.

Minority students in Missouri pursuing marketing, advertising, design, or computer science studies can apply for the Diversity in Advertising Scholarship to support their education. Focused on advancing opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, Innovia Foundation considers academic achievement plus school, work, and community involvement; previous recipients may reapply.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those from Missouri, 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 students, the foundation offers one-year awards that can be reapplied for annually and used toward tuition, fees, and living expenses.

Minority high school seniors and recent graduates pursuing postsecondary education can receive scholarship support for higher education or technical training; awards are US $1,000. Focused on expanding educational access, The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond invites applicants of African American or other minority heritage from Louisa or Fluvanna County public schools to apply.

Minority high school seniors and GED students pursuing higher education, primarily students of color who have overcome significant obstacles, may be eligible for renewable US $3,000 scholarships, including those from Missouri. Community Foundation of South Puget Sound’s Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship supports students with significant financial need and a demonstrated commitment to others.

Undergraduate engineering students from marginalized ethnicities or genders in Missouri can apply for the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s renewable PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship, awarding up to US $20,000 for tuition and other direct educational costs. Eligible students must attend a U.S. 4-year college and be pursuing climate-focused engineering fields.

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 in Missouri and nationwide. Reboot Representation Tech Coalition prioritizes multi-geometry, research-backed initiatives that leverage existing infrastructure and demonstrate strong impact data.

Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, including those from Missouri, can apply for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Indian Motorcycle Academic Scholarship, awarding US $5,000 per year for education costs. Eligible applicants must be AISES members with a 3.0+ GPA and enrolled or descendant citizens of recognized Indigenous communities.

American Indian and Alaska Native LSAMP alumni starting STEM PhD programs in the U.S. can apply for Montana State University's Louis Stokes Bridge to the Doctorate support, which provides a total of US $88,000 in stipends and education allowances. Missouri students who meet these criteria and seek graduate-level minority support may benefit.

The Talati Family Scholarship Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, aims to support students of color pursuing higher education. Students can apply through a single online application, which connects them to various scholarships based on eligibility. Awards can reach up to $3,000 and may impact financial aid offers. This scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students attending accredited institutions in the U.S., particularly those from Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties.

David & Priscilla Morris Scholarship

The David and Priscilla Morris Scholarship was established to provide tuition support for Black or African American students attending Western Michigan University.

KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution.

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

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 Breakfast Club Scholarship Fund   

To support graduating Latino high school seniors from Hampden County.

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 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 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

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.

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.

The Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program supports federally-recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and organizations in advancing health-related research. It aims to enhance research careers and infrastructure through a competitive application process. Funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services, this initiative invites eligible entities to apply, ensuring that only high-quality proposals undergo peer review for potential funding.

Generally the Community Foundation's scholarships are awarded to applicants who have high financial need. Applicants with household income exceeding $100,000 are less likely to be awarded, but applying will allow you to be considered for targeted scholarships.

Miller Johnson Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship

Open to students of color accepted to or presently attending an accredited law school within the US with a permanent residence in Michigan or attending a Michigan law school with financial need and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

The Black Men Building Resources Scholarship, offered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, supports African-American undergraduates from Kent County. This scholarship aims to empower students pursuing college or career training by removing barriers to academic success. With awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, the program prioritizes applicants with high financial need, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to those who strive for educational advancement in West Michigan.

Unless noted otherwise in the scholarship description and criteria statement, applicants can attend accredited schools of their choice within the United States.

CFNJ scholarships awards vary. On average, awards range from $500 to $2,500. However, the award could be larger based on the number of qualified applicants and the parameters set by donors who have established the funds. 

ETV: Linda D. Murphy Village Strivers Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a Black/African-American graduating high school senior from Morristown or Morris Township who has demonstrated consistent academic improvement throughout high school. Applicants will be evaluated on their engagement through activities or programs that support the local community (community service, church engagement, or paid or unpaid work experience) and unmet financial need.