Best Grants for Women in West Virginia

NCAA Division II member schools and multisport conference offices in West Virginia can apply for the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Ethnic Minorities and Women’s Internship Grant; awards US $30,000 for a full-time, entry-level athletics administrative position plus professional development. Funding supports roles that build experience in planning, budgeting, compliance, student-athlete welfare, and diversity initiatives.

NCAA Division II conferences and institutions working to advance women and ethnic minorities in athletics administration can apply for the Strategic Alliance Matching Grant, including those in West Virginia. This five-year program funds full-time mid- to senior-level administrative roles focused on areas like strategic planning, compliance, fundraising, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions focused on diversity can apply for the Coaching Enhancement Grant, including schools in West Virginia. With a mission to support inclusive athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides up to US $48,000 over three years toward salary, wages, and benefits for these roles.

West Virginia NCAA Division III conferences and institutions seeking to improve ethnic minority and women’s representation in athletics administration can apply for this Strategic Alliance Matching Grant. Grants from National Collegiate Athletic Association help fund full-time, mid- to senior-level administrative roles with responsibilities like strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year period.

Focused on diversity in collegiate athletics, National Collegiate Athletic Association invites West Virginia NCAA Division III institutions to apply for funding to create new assistant coaching positions. Member schools committed to increasing ethnic minority and gender representation in any NCAA-sponsored sport may receive two years of salary and benefits support, with an institutional match required.

West Virginia organizations serving women and girls through education or health programs can access funding through L B Research and Education Foundation for work that advances equity and closes opportunity gaps. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with established, research-informed programs for adolescents, post-secondary students, or adult vocational learners may receive US $10,000 - US $75,000 to expand proven initiatives.

The Bob Zylstra STEM Scholarship, offered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, supports undergraduate students who identify as female or as students of color from West Michigan. This scholarship aims to empower students pursuing STEM majors by removing barriers to education and fostering diversity in these fields. Each year, the foundation awards scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 to help students achieve their academic and career aspirations.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to a female or female-identified student from a high school in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, or Wyoming county who has 50 or more documented volunteer hours and and who has a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

Established in January 2026, the Irene Zurine Memorial Scholarship Fund awards scholarships each year to support girls and women, traditional or nontraditional students, who are furthering their education.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating female from Scranton or West Scranton High School who is a resident of Lackawanna County.

Women's Education Coalition Grant

This multiyear grant helps women who are unemployed or struggling to support themselves and their families. This scholarship supports tuition, college expenses, and helps build a better future for you and your family. 

This education grant was established by a coalition of four member organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, YWCA Kalamazoo and the former Kalamazoo Network.

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 is a multiyear scholarship, meaning that it is eligible to repeat annually up to the degree/program completion.

Women students from Hampden County pursuing two- or four-year degrees can receive up to US $3,000 in scholarship support for tuition and related college costs. Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers this fund through a single online application; women in West Virginia may be eligible only if they meet the Hampden County residency requirement.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing STEM degrees and advancing gender equity may be eligible for higher education scholarships, including students from West Virginia. The San Diego Foundation’s Athena Scholarship, accessed through its Common Scholarship Application, offers US $1,000 - US $5,000 awards to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with financial need and community service experience.

Women-of-color environmental leaders and their organizations in West Virginia can receive organizational funding to support women and girl services and environmental stewardship work. Focused on women’s leadership in environmental advocacy, Rachels Network invites eligible U.S. and territorial applicants for its Catalyst Award, which includes a US $10,000 organizational grant alongside other support services.

Women environmental leaders and advocates in West Virginia can access personal funding to support their mid-career leadership through the Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award. Rachels Network provides women and girl services organizations and leaders with US $15,000 for personal support, plus potential organizational funding, to advance environmental conservation, sustainability, and stewardship work across the U.S. and territories.

Nonprofit women leaders advancing women and girl services, education, or community development can receive US $25,000 to support their causes through the national Women of Worth Award. L'Oreal Paris supports changemakers across the U.S., so West Virginia organizations serving women and girls may be strong candidates for this recognition and funding.

Women and girl service organizations in West Virginia supporting education and workforce re-entry may be eligible for scholarships helping women survivors of domestic violence gain training and self-sufficiency. Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, via the YWCA Clark County Chan Barnett Scholarship, offers US $1,000 - US $4,000 awards for women returning to the workforce with financial need.

Female high school seniors pursuing STEM or medical majors can receive scholarship support for higher education, with a focus on women and girl services. Erie County Community Foundation’s Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky High School STEM Scholarship Fund serves residents of Erie, Huron, or Ottawa County, Ohio attending accredited nonprofit institutions in the U.S.

Adult women returning to college or vocational school who live in Erie, Huron, Ottawa, or Sandusky Counties in Ohio can receive scholarship support for 2–4 year undergraduate or vocational programs at accredited U.S. institutions. With a mission to empower women, Erie County Community Foundation helps nontraditional students, including those from West Virginia studying in Ohio, continue their education.

Female high school seniors pursuing an undergraduate degree and needing financial assistance may be eligible for this scholarship, which supports women’s education; financial need is considered. Offered by Erie County Community Foundation, it benefits students graduating from Huron, Margaretta, Perkins, Sandusky, or Sandusky St. Mary’s Central Catholic High Schools and may interest West Virginia organizations guiding college-bound women.

West Virginia doctoral students in 19th–early 21st century Russian/Soviet historical studies can access funding through the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies to support dissertation research or completion. Fellows receive up to US $28,000, with one award designated for women’s and gender studies topics; enrollment at a U.S. university is required.

West Virginia AAUW branches and state organizations designing hands-on STEM programs for girls in grades K–12 can seek up to US $10,000 to expand or deepen their local initiatives. Focused on STEM skill-building, confidence, mentoring, and college or career preparation, American Association of University Women funding could support programs serving women and girls in the state.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and tax-exempt educational institutions in West Virginia can seek funding to run community-based STEM programs for girls in grades K–12. American Association of University Women offers up to US $50,000 for hands-on learning, mentorship, family engagement, and confidence-building experiences that encourage girls to pursue STEM education and careers.

Women and nonbinary adults pursuing vocational training or undergraduate degrees can receive up to US $12,500 in non-tuition support through the Jeannette Rankin Foundation’s Emerge Grant. With a mission to advance women’s education, it serves financially needy Georgia and Montana residents 25 or older enrolled at accredited, nonprofit U.S. institutions.

West Virginia women and nonbinary adult students can access funding through the Jeannette Rankin Foundation to cover non-tuition education-related needs. Individuals age 35 or older (with specific exceptions), who demonstrate financial need and are pursuing technical, vocational, associate’s, or first bachelor’s degrees at accredited U.S. schools may receive up to US $2,500 annually.

The Bernice M. Brightbill Fund Scholarship offers a one-time award to a senior female student from the Central Dauphin School District pursuing a college degree in business studies. This scholarship aims to support students demonstrating financial need, regardless of citizenship or documentation status. Eligible applicants can apply for multiple scholarships and may be selected for any or all they qualify for, promoting accessibility in education.

Grassroots Voices, led by Vital Voices Global Partnership Inc, empowers young women aged 18-25 in the U.S. engaged in grassroots justice work. This program offers a unique opportunity to join a supportive cohort, travel to Washington, D.C., and engage with influential women leaders. Participants will enhance their skills and amplify their impact on critical issues like social inequity and reproductive justice, fostering a community of changemakers dedicated to transforming their lives and the world.