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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Osborn scholarship

The Osborn scholarship is for BIPOC students with demonstrated financial need, who are enrolled in or planning to pursue an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree program in landscape architecture or civil engineering. Priority will be given to students with a demonstrated a commitment to developing public infrastructure and/or public places in the State of Washington. The intention of the scholarship is to create opportunities for those who have faced historic barriers to access to these professions in the United States. The scholarship founders believe that the design challenges of the 21st century require diverse voices to solve. They look forward to the stronger design solutions to which future scholarship recipients will contribute. Scholarship applicants must demonstrate the grit, resiliency and aptitude that is necessary for success in these professions. This may be demonstrated by any combination of at least two of the following characteristics: overcame a significant personal challenge to maintain at least a B average at school, honor roll grade point average, demonstrated ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, demonstrated service contributions to their community.

Awards

• $5,000 - $10,000

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.

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.

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. 

CRST Wicozani Wiwokiaye Oyate Scholarship for Nursing

To provide financial support to Native American students pursuing a registered nursing degree.

For a Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) member aiming to earn a nursing degree, if there are no eligible CRST candidates, the scholarship will be accessible to another tribal member. Proof of tribal enrollment is required for both applicants. This scholarship is available to students in their second through fifth years who have sustained a GPA of 2.0 or above. When applying for this scholarship, articulate how your nursing education will contribute to enhancing the health outcomes of Native American communities.

(Pronunciation is: Wee-Cho-Zan-Ee, Wee-Woke-Ee-Eye-Aye, Oh-Yah-Tay. Which is Lakota for "Health Helpers Society")

Growing Justice Fund Program

The Fund for Equitable Good Food Procurement is a multi-donor pooled fund driven by the wisdom and experience of funders, farmers and other workers in the food value chain with shared values and vision.

Awards Nearly $5M to 38 Community-Led Initiatives Supporting Values-Based Good Food Purchasing.

While community-serving institutions–such as schools, hospitals, and senior centers–spend billions annually on food purchasing, the benefits of these contracts have been largely bypassed by small- and mid-size producers, especially Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and immigrant producers. 

For the 2025 grant cycle, the Growing Justice Fund awarded a mix of Planning Grants and Implementation Grants, with grant amounts ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. These investments support projects that strengthen engagement with community-serving anchor institutions—including schools, hospitals, and elder care facilities—that hold significant purchasing power and can drive meaningful economic and social benefits for historically marginalized communities.

Priority Areas

Infrastructure:

Building and strengthening systems that enable equitable food purchasing, including support for historically disadvantaged producers, food hubs, and institutional partnerships.

Policy and Organizing:

Supporting grassroots organizing, educational policy advocacy, and capacity-building efforts that align institutional food purchasing practices with community-defined priorities.

Traditional Food Pathways:

Advancing food sovereignty within Tribal Nations by supporting traditional foodways, local food economies, and community-led approaches to Native food systems.

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

James P. Humphrey, Black Achievers Scholarship

Shelby County residents who are of African-American descent and a graduating senior at a Shelby County High School maintaining a high school GPA of no less than 2.0.

Selection based upon (in order of priority):

Financial need, academic ability, demonstrated community and school service, and recommendations, and an interview.

Awards Vary.

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.

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

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.

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.

Graduating Latino high school seniors planning to attend college can receive up to US $3,000 for tuition and other education costs through the Latino Breakfast Club Scholarship Fund, administered by Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. With a mission to support minority students, this program may benefit Hispanic and Latino youth, including those similar to Kansas applicants.