Best Grants for Minorities in Washington

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations in Washington building explicit political power with Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color can apply for Washington Progress Fund’s core grants, awarding US $25,000 - US $100,000 for long-term organizing infrastructure. Funding supports leadership development, communications, policy, movement capacity, and organizing and elections work that strengthens a multiracial, cross-class progressive movement.

Nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored groups, and tribal governments in Washington working on carceral systems organizing can access funding through Social Justice Fund Northwest to support community organizing, abolition, and justice reform efforts; awards US $25,000. Groups led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color and those with smaller budgets are especially encouraged to apply.

The WE Communications Scholarship, established by Waggener Edstrom Worldwide in partnership with UNCF, aims to support female undergraduate students in STEM fields at UNCF Member Institutions. With a focus on academic excellence, applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. This initiative reflects UNCF's commitment to fostering minority education and empowering future leaders, contributing to the overall rise in graduation rates among African American students.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

OCVA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is committed to ensuring accessibility for all applicants. 

OCVA Tribal Initiative – STOP Program

STOP Program – Tribal Initiative is a grant program that funds Tribal law enforcement, prosecution, and victim services to develop and strengthen effective strategies that collaboratively respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and strengthens victim services.

Proposals should 

• Address the needs of individuals age 11 and older that have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking; and
• Improve the criminal legal systems response or ability to respond to cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking where the victim is age 11 or older.

Proposals should include activities and services for each part: law enforcement, prosecution, and victim services.

How much funding is available?

OCVA estimates that $600,000 will be available each year for this grant initiative. It is the intention of the grant for all three function areas listed below to apply for up to $200,000 each, in the same application, for a maximum total of $600,000.

• $200,000 for tribal law enforcement
• $200,000 for tribal prosecution
• $200,000 for tribal victim services

OCVA will select one proposal for award. 

American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing engineering or other high-demand aerospace-related degrees in Washington can access funding through Native Forward Scholars Fund. This need-based scholarship offers up to US $10,000 for tuition and childcare support. Indigenous students in Washington’s public higher education systems planning aerospace careers may be eligible.

Nonprofits, government agencies, and public schools in Washington can seek funding for education, health and human services, culture, arts, communities of color, Native American programs, environment, and civic advocacy. With a mission to support community needs, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe provides Washington minority-serving organizations with US $1,500 - US $5,000, reviewed quarterly with no application deadlines.

NCAA Division II member schools and multisport conference offices in Washington 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 administration internship. An additional US $3,000 supports the intern’s professional development over the academic year.

NCAA Division II colleges and multisport conferences enhancing ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration can apply for the Strategic Alliance Matching Grant, including those in Washington. Funding supports new full-time administrative roles over five years, covering areas like strategic planning, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions to increase ethnic minority and gender representation can apply for the Coaching Enhancement Grant, including schools in Washington. 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 for the hired coach.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions seeking to improve ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles in Washington can apply for this Strategic Alliance Matching Grant. Grants from the National Collegiate Athletic Association support five-year, full-time administrative positions with responsibilities like strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare.

Focused on minority representation in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association invites Washington NCAA Division III member schools to apply for support to create new assistant coaching positions. Funding helps cover salary, wages, and benefits for two years, advancing ethnic minority and gender diversity within Division III coaching staffs.

Minority health and physical education professionals in Washington and nationwide who are long-time SHAPE America members may be eligible for the E.B. Henderson Award recognizing scholarship, mentorship, and service. Grants from Society of Health and Physical Educators honor leaders increasing involvement of ethnic minorities and underserved populations in HPERD fields and within SHAPE America.

Focused on undergraduate education, Presbyterian Mission Agency invites Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) members to apply for scholarships supporting first associate or bachelor’s degrees. Eligible students, including those from minority communities in Washington, may receive up to US $6,000 to attend accredited U.S. colleges or universities full-time in 2025–2026.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those from Washington, can receive up to US $3,000 for college costs such as tuition, fees, and room and board. With a mission to support educational access, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts provides one-year scholarships, and applicants are considered for multiple funds through a single application.

Graduating high school seniors and GED students in Washington’s Thurston and Pierce counties seeking higher education can receive scholarships supporting minority and first-generation college access. With a mission to strengthen local students’ futures, Community Foundation of South Puget Sound provides the Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship, offering US $3,000, renewable for up to three additional undergraduate years for eligible applicants with financial need.

Minority high school seniors and recent graduates seeking postsecondary education funding can apply for competitive scholarships supporting students from Louisa and Fluvanna County Public Schools in Virginia. Grants from The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond help minority students, including those of African American heritage, pursue technical programs or four-year colleges, with preference for several Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Students of color in Washington studying marketing, advertising, design, or computer science can seek scholarship support for their education. Focused on diversity in advertising and related digital fields, Innovia Foundation invites Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color in its 20‑county service region who show academic achievement and engagement to apply.

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. Focused on computing education equity, Reboot Representation Tech Coalition prioritizes multi-geometry, research-backed programs, which may benefit minority-serving organizations in Washington working in higher education and tech pathways.

Undergraduate engineering students in the U.S. from marginalized ethnicities and genders can receive renewable support for tuition and other educational costs, especially those passionate about climate justice. Architecture Foundation of Oregon partners with PAE to offer up to US $20,000 and mentorship, which may benefit minority students from Washington pursuing engineering degrees.

The AISES Indian Motorcycle Academic Scholarship offers $5,000 annually to support Native students pursuing degrees in STEM fields. Sponsored by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, this scholarship aims to empower Indigenous students and enhance diversity in STEM. Eligible applicants must be current AISES members, full-time students, and enrolled citizens or descendants of recognized Native tribes. This scholarship not only provides financial assistance but also fosters community and innovation within the STEM landscape.

The Empire Health Foundation is committed to strengthening communities through connection and learning by providing sponsorship funding for events that promote health equity and social justice. While they are no longer accepting sponsorship applications for 2025, they encourage grassroots organizations serving marginalized communities in eastern Washington to reach out for future opportunities. Their focus includes supporting 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and low-income populations, fostering collaboration, and enhancing community well-being.

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.

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. 

The Native Public Health Resilience (NPHR) program is a new funding opportunity aimed at supporting Tribes and Tribal Organizations in delivering essential public health services. Sponsored by the Indian Health Service, this initiative seeks to bolster public health infrastructure and resilience within tribal communities, ensuring they have the necessary resources to address health challenges effectively. Eligible applicants will receive financial assistance to enhance their public health capabilities and improve community health outcomes.