Best Grants for Minorities in California

Community-based organizations in California providing workers’ rights outreach and Indigenous language communications can apply for the Communications Support Grant, with awards up to US $300,000 for interpretation services and outreach materials. Funding from the California Department of Industrial Relations may benefit groups serving Indigenous and other minority workers statewide.

California Native American tribes working on emergency preparedness, response, and recovery can seek funding to protect their communities and ancestral lands from oil spills in California. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Tribal Preparedness Grant may benefit Indigenous-serving organizations focused on disaster preparedness and community public safety for minority communities.

California Native American Tribes working on climate and housing capacity-building can apply for grants of US $350,000 - US $420,000 over three years to strengthen staff and long-term project development. Grants from California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery also provide technical assistance and peer learning support for Indigenous services across California.

Tribal governments and Indigenous-serving entities in California seeking support for affordable housing planning, infrastructure, and pre-development work can apply for this grant, with awards ranging from US $1 - US $3,000,000. With a mission to strengthen equitable, affordable housing, California Strategic Growth Council provides funding for activities like feasibility studies, site preparation, utilities, transportation, and related staffing costs benefiting Indigenous communities.

Federally recognized tribal governments in California can seek funding to build or sustain security enhancement projects that strengthen homeland security preparedness. Focused on terrorism prevention and response, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services invites tribes to address high-priority gaps that protect Indigenous communities and support statewide preparedness, with awards up to US $130,000.

The Doyuti T’uhkama Grant, established by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, supports various initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of Native people and Californians. Since its inception in 2016, it has allocated $90 million to projects focusing on cultural preservation, education, and health within Patwin territory. Grants range from $200,000 to $2 million, prioritizing partnerships with tribes, non-profits, and local agencies. Letters of Intent are welcomed year-round, reviewed biannually.

The Employment Development Department released an SFP for the Campesino de California Outreach Grant – Radio Media Program for PY 23-24. This SFP makes available up to $100,000 in funding for the development and implementation of radio talk shows aimed at reaching domestic and foreign Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFW) and their families to inform them about workforce programs and other community services available to them.

The primary goal of this grant is to develop and deliver 16 semi-monthly, 30-minute hosted radio shows and record in video format for the MSFW population in Spanish. Additionally, the grantee must use complementing online and social media outlets to publicize the radio talk show and communicate additional information as necessary to enhance existing outreach channels to support the outreach efforts by government, community-based organizations, and partners serving MSFWs in rural and hard to reach communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations in California led by women of color or gender-expansive people can seek flexible general operating support for racial, gender, economic, and environmental justice work. With a mission to build a multiracial feminist democracy, Womens Foundation of California prioritizes grassroots, movement-building groups serving women of color and gender-expansive communities, including those in under-resourced rural areas.

California NCAA Division III schools can obtain matching funds to create new assistant coaching positions that improve ethnic minority and gender representation. The program offers up to two years of salary and benefits support, helping athletic departments expand diverse coaching staffs while developing inclusive leadership pipelines across campus sports programs.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions seeking to strengthen ethnic minority and gender representation in full-time athletics administration can apply for this five-year Strategic Alliance Matching Grant, including in California. The National Collegiate Athletic Association supports roles covering strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare, which may benefit organizations serving minority communities.

NCAA Division II member colleges in California and elsewhere can receive support to create new assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation in any NCAA-sponsored sport. With a mission to enhance diversity in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides US $48,000 over three years toward salary, wages, and benefits for these roles.

California 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 National Collegiate Athletic Association. Grants support full-time roles over five years with duties such as strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare.

California NCAA Division II schools 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. Grants provide US $30,000 for intern salary plus professional development support for one academic year, building experience in planning, compliance, and student-athlete welfare.

California minority health and physical education professionals with long-term SHAPE America membership can be honored for scholarship, mentorship, and service that increase minority and underserved participation in their field. Through the Society of Health and Physical Educators’ E.B. Henderson Award, eligible members may receive national recognition for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in HPERD settings.

Presbyterian undergraduate students, including those from minority communities in California, can receive funding for their first associate or bachelor’s degree through scholarships from Presbyterian Mission Agency. Awards up to US $6,000 support full-time study at accredited U.S. colleges or universities in 2025–2026 for PC(USA) church members, including Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American students.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those in California, can receive up to US $3,000 from the Loren and Norma Hill Scholarship Fund to help cover college costs. With a mission to support minority students, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts offers one-year awards, with a preference for residents of Hampden County, and allows eligible students to reapply annually.

Nonprofit organizations with a 5+ year track record serving Black, Latina, and Native American women and girls in computing can seek funding to recruit and retain them in college-level tech programs, including in California. Reboot Representation Tech Coalition prioritizes multi-geometry, research-backed programs leveraging existing infrastructure and robust impact data.

Minority students in California pursuing marketing, advertising, design, or computer science studies can receive scholarship support for accredited college, vocational, or technical programs. Focused on education and equity, Innovia Foundation invites Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color to apply, with preference for applicants showing academic achievement, school involvement, community service, and work experience.

Undergraduate engineering students from marginalized ethnicities and genders in California can apply for the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship, awarding up to US $20,000 to offset direct educational costs. Eligible students attend a 4-year U.S. university, study engineering, and are passionate about climate justice and community impact.

Minority high school seniors and recent graduates pursuing postsecondary education can receive scholarship support for technical schools or colleges, including HBCUs. Focused on higher education access for African American and other minority youth, The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond offers the John E. Thomasson Scholarship, which may benefit students from California who meet its criteria.

Graduating high school seniors or GED students pursuing higher education who are from Thurston or Pierce counties and demonstrate significant financial need can receive $3,000 scholarships supporting college costs, with renewal potential. The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound’s Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship prioritizes students of color committed to others; California minority students may be eligible if they meet these criteria.

The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Bridge to Doctorate Scholars Program, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to recruit and retain minority graduate students in STEM fields. This program offers significant benefits, including a $32,000 annual stipend and $12,000 educational allowance for two years, fostering a supportive community through monthly dinners for Indigenous graduate students. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, and have participated in an LSAMP program.

Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in STEM, including those from California, can apply for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s 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 fields like mechanical engineering, IT, manufacturing, supply chain, or related STEM areas.

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.

Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program 

The Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program, created in the memory of Jane Wilson Hooper and Colonel Philip L. Hooper, provides financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Technology (Associate of Applied Science) full-time at an accredited institution. 

The maximum amount of an academic year award is $5,000. This opportunity is a renewable, 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.

Wells Fargo Scholarship for Undergraduates

The Wells Fargo Scholarship for Undergraduates provides financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in any field of study.

The maximum amount of an academic year award is $5,000. 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.

Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship

The purpose of the Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate (juniors and seniors) and graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution.

Undergraduate (juniors and seniors) students must be pursuing a degree in the gaming, tourism, financial, or hospitality industries. Graduate students must be pursuing a degree in business or a gaming/hospitality-related field. This includes banking, resort management, gaming operations, or management and administration (including accounting, finance, information technology, and human resources).

The maximum amount of an undergraduate award is $2,500 and the maximum amount of a graduate award is $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.

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.