Best Grants for Native Americans in Pennsylvania

Tribal governments, community language programs, tribal schools, colleges, and eligible individual tribal members can receive up to US $20,000 for Native language documentation and revitalization projects in Pennsylvania and other Lewis and Clark–connected areas. Focused on endangered Indigenous languages, Endangered Language Fund supports curricula, recordings, education programs, and training that preserve Native American culture and heritage.

Pennsylvania federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, Tribal colleges or universities, Tribal health programs, and Tribal organizations can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to support health-related research and research capacity. This Native American Research Centers for Health opportunity may benefit Native-serving entities building research programs and careers in AI/AN communities.

Native-led organizations and community-based initiatives in Pennsylvania and beyond can access funding to strengthen indigenous nations through language revitalization, safety for women, girls, and Two-Spirit people, and innovative community leadership. Grants from Vadon Foundation help Native communities, including those addressing COVID-19-related food insecurity and essential needs, pursue long-term self-determination and sustainability.

Pennsylvania tribal governments, local and state governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits working with Native communities can access funding through Indian Land Tenure Foundation to advance legal reforms around Indian land ownership and control. Eligible projects include estate planning, probate reform, land policy development, landowner associations, and initiatives strengthening tribal sovereignty over land assets.

Tribal governments, local and state governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Pennsylvania working with American Indian communities can apply for Indian Land Tenure Foundation’s Economic Opportunity grants to improve the use and control of reservation lands. Funding supports projects that prioritize land acquisition planning, productive land use, and expanding direct owner management for long-term community benefit.

Native-serving organizations supporting education, health, culture, environmental protection, or Native rights in Pennsylvania may be eligible for funding to assist people in need. Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation supports Native American services and culture nationwide through the Yocha Dehe Community Fund, prioritizing programs in health and wellness, education, Native arts and culture, environmental protection, and Tribal sovereignty.

American Indian and Alaska Native students in Pennsylvania pursuing certificate, undergraduate, or graduate study at accredited nonprofit U.S. colleges can access funding through the American Indian College Fund; awards US $2,000 - US $3,000 for tuition and education costs. Applicants submit one annual application to be considered for multiple merit-based scholarships nationwide.

Native American and Alaska Native students at Tribal Colleges and Universities in the U.S., including those from Pennsylvania, can apply for American Indian College Fund scholarships supporting certificate, undergraduate, or graduate study. Grants from American Indian College Fund help students with average awards of US $2,000 - US $3,000 through a single annual application.

American Indian and Alaska Native high school seniors in Pennsylvania planning full-time study at an accredited nonprofit college or Tribal College/University can receive US $2,000 - US $3,000 in merit-based scholarship support. The American Indian College Fund uses a single annual application to consider students for its full portfolio of Native-focused scholarships nationwide.

Native American organizations across the U.S. can seek funding for education, health, housing, cultural activities, and other charitable programs through the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Pennsylvania Native-led groups working in these areas may be eligible if they qualify as Native American organizations under this charitable contribution fund.

Native-led grassroots organizations in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. that organize for progressive social change can seek general operating support to strengthen leadership, advocacy, and community engagement. Grants from Common Counsel Foundation’s Native Voices Rising initiative support groups rooted in Native communities that mobilize members to improve policies and systems affecting their people.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in the U.S. running projects that advance American Indian self-sufficiency, education, entrepreneurism, or cultural preservation may be eligible for US $10,000 - US $20,000 grants. Focused on Native American services and heritage, the Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation supports specifically defined projects, which can include work benefiting Native communities in Pennsylvania.

Individuals working on Native cultural, artistic, or environmental preservation projects in Pennsylvania may be eligible for this scholarship supporting Wabanaki-focused and Indigenous initiatives. Focused on cultural, artistic, and environmental preservation, Maine Community Foundation invites applicants pursuing Wabanaki culture, Native American heritage, research, or environmental stewardship inspired by David Moses Bridges’ legacy across the U.S.

Indigenous-led and other Native-focused organizations in Pennsylvania working on land-based cultural and ecological renewal may be eligible for this invitation-only funding, which primarily supports existing partners. Kalliopeia Foundation supports Native American services and culture by backing U.S.-based projects that connect people to land, uplift Indigenous leadership, and foster intergenerational community healing.

With a mission to support future leaders in environmental, tribal public policy, and Native health care fields, Udall Foundation provides Pennsylvania undergraduate students with scholarships up to US $7,500. Eligible U.S. sophomores and juniors, including Native American and Alaska Native students, can fund academic expenses while building networks that may benefit Native communities.

The Funding the Future of Finance in Indian Country/Johnson Scholarship offers financial support to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate students pursuing full-time degrees in business, accounting, or finance. The program aims to enhance diversity in these fields and provides awards of up to $10,000 per academic year based on need. Applicants must demonstrate Tribal affiliation through a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

The Elizabeth Furber Scholarship honors the legacy of Elizabeth Furber by providing financial assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students. This scholarship supports students pursuing full-time degrees in various fields, including fine arts, music, and creative writing. As a need-based award, it requires applicants to demonstrate Tribal affiliation through a Tribal Eligibility Certificate. This opportunity empowers eligible students to achieve their academic goals.

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.

Mellon Foundation Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI) Archives Training Fellowship

The American Philosophical Society's Library & Museum (APS) in Philadelphia invites applications for a two-year, residential Archives Training Fellowship for applicants at any stage of their careers who would like to develop or advance their professional skills in collections care and best practices surrounding Native American and Indigenous collections in archives, libraries, and museums. This funding opportunity is part of the Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI), supported by the Mellon Foundation. An award will be made pending availability of funding.

The Fellow will be based at the APS Library & Museum’s Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (CNAIR). Over the two years, the Fellow will spend 80% of their time as a contributing member of the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research, working alongside archivists and other staff on tasks and projects relating to CNAIR’s work promoting access and use of the APS Library & Museum’s archival collections relating to Indigenous peoples and languages of the Americas, which is one of the largest such archival collections on the continent. The other 20% of the Fellow’s time will be devoted to pursuing an independent project of their own proposing.

This opportunity is intended to give the Fellow broad exposure to and direct experience working with archival collections in a professional context through working in parallel with archivists, curators, and other staff at CNAIR. The makeup of the Fellow’s work may include multiple areas of archival practice, such as processing, digitization, metadata work, resource development, exhibition planning, and reference, with the combination of tasks and responsibilities constructed partly in light of the Fellow’s experiences and interests, and partly in light of CNAIR’s current project priorities. The Fellow will also work on a significant, sustained project with CNAIR focused on one of the above areas.

This 24-month residential fellowship is intended for a master’s degree graduate in archives or library/information science, a recent doctoral graduate in any field, or an independent postdoctoral scholar. The applicant should be working or planning to work with Native American and Indigenous collections in an archive, library, or museum setting. Applications from those who have lived experience or sustained personal engagement with Indigenous communities, including as a member of an Indigenous community, are particularly encouraged. Key criteria for evaluation include the nature of the applicant’s past work and the articulated goals of professional training in relation to the applicant's career development.

The purpose of this fellowship is to provide information professionals and scholars with training and experiences that will diversify their skillset by working alongside archivists and staff at CNAIR, as well as to the opportunity to do an independent project of their own on the side.

The Fellow will also be expected to participate in the vibrant intellectual community at the Society, including monthly lunches at the Library with visiting scholars, daytime workshops and programming with other residential fellows, and evening programs with specialists in a wide range of fields.

Terms

• Compensation is $50,000 a year plus benefits, along with additional funds for research support, travel, and relocation. The Fellow is expected to be on site full time for the duration of the fellowship, excepting approved travel for professional development. The Fellowship may not be held concurrently with any other fellowship or grant.
• 24 month residential fellowship
• $50,000 annual salary
• $5,000 travel/research fund
• $750 relocation cost

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.

Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship

The purpose of the Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited institution and pursuing degrees with a focus in Indigenous languages, natural resources, land management, and conservation or cultural preservation. 

This opportunity is a need-based award.

What We Do

At the North Carolina Community Foundation, we bring together generous people and connect them to causes and organizations they care about.

Our mission is to inspire North Carolinians to make lasting and meaningful contributions to their communities.

Our Philanthropic Network

We believe in the power of permanent philanthropy to strengthen our communities and people. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, our philanthropic network makes a powerful impact through robust grants and scholarships programs.

Bill Taylor Scholarship Endowment

Criteria

Enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians or their spouses, children or other immediate family members attending a two- or four-year college or university.

The Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award honors Native artists who have dedicated their lives to sharing cultural knowledge and ancestral gifts. With a grant of $50,000, this award supports artists deeply rooted in their communities, fostering healing and resilience. Nominations are open for practicing artists across various mediums, including music, dance, and storytelling, ensuring the continuation of Indigenous traditions and the enrichment of Native culture.

CDC Foundation

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the public health system save and improve lives by unleashing the power of partnerships to protect the health, safety and security of all communities, everywhere. The CDC Foundation is authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners, corporations, organizations and individuals to support the critical health protection mission of CDC and the public health system.

The CDC Foundation manages hundreds of programs each year aimed at protecting communities across the country from a variety of health threats—from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like malaria and HIV to emergency responses, such as Ebola and Zika.

Contractor for Implementation and Evaluation of Healthy Native Babies Project Materials

This RFP request proposals from Tribes, Tribal Serving Organizations (TSOs) and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) [T/TSOs/UIOs] to implement and evaluate the updated Healthy Native Babies Project (HNBP) materials within their service areas. This initiative aims to strengthen culturally relevant infant safe sleep education, increase community awareness and support Native families in reducing sleep related infant deaths. Selected T/TSOs/UIOs will adapt, disseminate and assess the use of HNBP materials in ways that reflect the cultural, linguistic and community-specific needs of the Native populations they serve. 

This project is a rapid turnaround project to support T/TSOs/UIOs in:

• Implementing HNBP materials in clinical, community, and family setting
• Training staff and community partners
• Evaluating reach, effectiveness, and community feedback
• Identifying barriers, facilitators, lessons learned, and best practices for future replication

The Charles Hamlin Scholarship, established by Nurses Educational Funds, Inc., supports professional nurses pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in nursing. Applicants must hold a current RN license and demonstrate a commitment to nursing leadership, particularly in orthopedic care and the well-being of Native American communities. The scholarship honors Dr. Charles Hamlin's legacy, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in healthcare and preventing burnout among healthcare professionals. This award aims to empower future nursing leaders and enhance diversity in the field.

Steven Thayer Hopi Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the family of Steven Thayer to provide scholarship funding for young Hopi artists to develop their talents and artistic skill.

The Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinator (ROSS-SC) Program for Fiscal Year 2026 aims to empower residents of Public and Indian Housing by addressing barriers to economic self-sufficiency. Through grant funding from HUD, Service Coordinators assess individual needs, linking residents to educational, professional, and health resources. This support enables participants to achieve financial stability and independence, facilitating their journey towards self-sufficiency and enhancing their quality of life.

The Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP) aims to enhance research capacity at Tribal colleges, focusing on agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. By fostering leadership skills and knowledge, the program prepares students for competitive careers in agriculture and related fields. Projects involving innovative agricultural technologies, such as AI and data science, are encouraged. TCRGP also emphasizes training opportunities for undergraduate students to equip them for success in a digital society and explore pathways in AI for food and agricultural sciences.