Best Grants for Women in Puerto Rico

Women in Puerto Rico who are primary financial providers for their families and pursuing vocational training or undergraduate degrees can receive up to US $10,000 for education and training costs. With a mission to advance women and girls’ economic empowerment, Soroptimist International of the Americas provides these Live Your Dream Awards across its member countries and territories.

The OVC FY 2026 Preventing Trafficking of Girls program aims to provide crucial prevention and early intervention services for girls at risk of human trafficking. This initiative, backed by the US DOJ's Office of Justice Programs, supports efforts to protect vulnerable populations, including young women up to age 25, from both sex and labor trafficking. Applicants are encouraged to outline their strategies to effectively serve survivors and address diverse needs in their proposals.

The AAUW Community Action Grants provide up to $75,000 to support nonprofits and educational institutions that empower girls in grades K–12 to succeed in STEM fields. By fostering hands-on learning, mentorship, and family involvement, these grants aim to build confidence and skills among girls, especially those from underrepresented communities. AAUW believes that immersive STEM environments and relatable role models can inspire lasting interest and help close the gender gap in leadership and careers.

Women ages 18–30 active in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can receive funding to attend leadership education events and conferences, including CSW and EAD, in Puerto Rico and beyond. Presbyterian Women supports women and girl services by offering grants up to US $2,000 to build leadership skills within the church community.

Women active in the PC(USA) seeking leadership development through conferences or other leadership education events, including those in Puerto Rico, can apply for up to US $500 to build their skills. With a mission to strengthen women’s leadership, Presbyterian Women provides support for fuller participation in church and Presbyterian Women life.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions to increase ethnic minority and women’s representation in sports can apply for this Coaching Enhancement Grant, including schools in Puerto Rico. With a mission to advance diversity in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides US $48,000 over three years for salary, wages, and benefits.

NCAA Division II conferences and institutions enhancing ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles in Puerto Rico can apply for the Strategic Alliance Matching Grant. Funding supports full-time positions with responsibilities like strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

Puerto Rico NCAA Division II schools and multisport conference offices can apply for National Collegiate Athletic Association funding to create full-time, entry-level athletics administration internships for women and ethnic minorities. Awards provide US $30,000 for intern salary plus US $3,000 for professional development over one academic year.

With a mission to support nonprofits, Empresas Fonalledas provides Puerto Rico women- and girl-serving organizations with funding for education, arts and culture, health, and women’s empowerment programs. Eligible projects include tutoring, vocational and college access, artistic training, chronic disease support, autism programs, and services for survivors of gender-based violence and women re-entering the workforce.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving veterans in Puerto Rico and across the U.S. can seek up to US $100,000 for new or expanding veteran-focused programs in art and culture, education, environment, family, or health and wellness. Impact100 Global Veterans provides funding to projects fully benefitting veterans, which may include initiatives supporting women veterans.

U.S.- and territory-based disability-led organizations, including Puerto Rico groups, can seek funding for collaborative disability justice projects advancing inclusion, narrative change, and cross-movement organizing. Borealis Philanthropy supports disability care, rights, and equity through the Disability Inclusion Fund, awarding US $75,000 - US $150,000 to joint proposals from two or more eligible partners with budgets under $3 million.

Graduating female students from Scranton or West Scranton High School in Lackawanna County pursuing higher education can apply for the Junior League of Scranton Scholarship, which supports women and girl services. Offered by Scranton Area Foundation, this opportunity may interest students originally from or connected to Puerto Rico now studying in Pennsylvania.

Girls and women pursuing further education, including traditional and nontraditional students, can receive scholarship support through the Irene Zurine Memorial Scholarship Fund, available across the U.S. Scranton Area Foundation provides women and girl services with help covering higher education or adult education costs, which may benefit applicants from Puerto Rico.

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.

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.

YWCA Chester County Fund

Mission Statement

A primary focus of the YWCA Chester County Fund is to provide scholarships to women, primarily non-traditional students, to continue their education.

Emma E. Hill Memorial Scholarship Fund

Mission Statement

The Emma E. Hill Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to memorialize Emma by helping female swimmers pursue their dreams of a college education. The scholarship awards will be granted on an annual basis to female graduating high school senior athletes in Southern Chester County.

About Emma

Emma was an excellent student as a sophomore at Unionville High School (UHS). She loved to swim and was a dedicated member of both the Kennett YMCA Sea Dragons and UHS swim teams. In her spare time, Emma was a lifeguard and also taught young children how to swim at the Y. As a younger child and teenager, Emma excelled on the ballfield in URA softball.

At the young age of 16, Emma passed away following complications caused by a rare type of gastric cancer, a form of the disease that was unheard of in a child and unfortunately found too late. Throughout Emma’s brief illness, she was strong and determined to get better, and did not let her health issues define her in any way.

Emma was beautiful in every sense of the word, and was loved throughout her community and beyond. She worked hard at whatever she was trying to accomplish, but always with a cheery, exuberant attitude and lovely smile. More than anything, her absolute kindness and warm heart are what made Emma our sweet girl.

Madeline Mellers Memorial Girls Golf Scholarship

Madeline started playing golf at a young age with her father, Ed Mellers, in Missouri. After moving to Colorado with her mother and stepfather, Chris and Ann Bush in 4th grade, she continued to play and started competing in CJGA events around the state. When she started as a freshman at Rye High School in 1990-91, there was no girls’ golf team at Rye High School so CHSAA said she could try out for the boys’ team, and she made it! Her junior year, Madeline along with her coach, Greg Bailey and Hollydot Professional, Prim Ivan, approached CHSAA again to see if Mad’s scores from Boys golf in fall could qualify her for the Girls State golf tournament the next spring, and CHSAA decided yes! She qualified and played in her 1st state tournament the next spring, placing 10th. In those days, the girls competed against girls from every size of high school in the state 1A to 6A.

During her Junior and Senior years, Madeline was also working with Dana Smith, a well known teaching professional from the Mike McGetrick Golf Academy in Denver. Dana took Madeline’s golf to the next level and is now graciously helping with her scholarship. He was chosen as the best teacher in Colorado by Golf digest and has several articles on golf published by Golf digest and Golf Illustrated. He is currently one of the staff at Trent Wearner Golf in Denver.

Her senior year, we were able to field a team made up of girls from various Southern Colorado small high schools and they played in girls’ season, 11 tournaments in all. Madeline was medalist in all 11 tournaments. She went on to become the Pueblo Ladies City Champion 3 times in 1994, 1995, and 1996. She was the youngest girl to win the Ladies championship at 17 years old!

Madeline was awarded a golf and academic scholarship to Stetson University, a division 1 school in Florida, where she attended and played golf for 4 years graduating in 1998. Denver University Law School was her next stop, and she graduated with her Juris Doctorate in 2002, passed the bar and started her law career with a private firm in Denver.

Tragically, we lost Madeline at 41 years old to colon cancer after a courageous 5-year battle. At the time of her death, she was a Senior Asst. Attorney General for the state of Colorado and very actively involved as a fundraiser for the Colon Cancer Alliance of Colorado. Madeline Ann Mellers played golf all of her life and was President of the Denver Businesswomen’s golf league. 

Description of the award

• We will be awarding two $2,500.00 scholarships
• Payment will be made to the institution directly
• Both in-state and out-of-state institutions are accepted
• Applicants must maintain a 3.0 or above GPA while maintaining the scholarship

Greenawalt Foundation

Our Mission

The Greenawalt Foundation advances opportunities in the skilled trades through funding for accredited pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, workforce training initiatives, and youth career exploration experiences. These programs promote technical readiness and connect STEM education to modern trades careers, building a stronger, more sustainable workforce. Foundation support focuses on expanding access and creating equitable pathways to prosperity for individuals pursuing skilled trades careers. Through these efforts, the Foundation helps develop the next generation of skilled professionals who will shape the future of our communities.

Community Grant

The Greenawalt Foundation extends its commitment to opportunity and well-being through community grants that support nonprofit organizations serving women, children, and vulnerable populations. These grants focus on programs that promote safety, stability, and self-sufficiency, including initiatives supporting domestic violence recovery, foster care, the working poor, and animal welfare. Foundation support strengthens the social fabric of communities and expands access to essential resources for those in need. Through these efforts, the Foundation helps build stronger, more compassionate communities where individuals and families can thrive.

Areas of Support

We focus our community grants on initiatives that align with our mission of compassion, opportunity, and empowerment. Areas of support may include:

• Domestic violence prevention and survivor support
• Programs for women and children
• Family assistance and poverty relief initiatives
• Foster care, youth development, and educational support
• Animal welfare and community-based rescue programs

Women who are unemployed or under-employed and pursuing higher education can receive multiyear tuition and college expense support, including full cost-of-attendance items, in Puerto Rico and beyond. Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s Women’s Education Coalition Grant supports associate, bachelor’s, graduate, professional development, and vocational/trade programs for nontraditional or returning students demonstrating financial need.

Women age 19 and older pursuing two- or four-year degrees can receive scholarship support, including students from Puerto Rico studying at accredited U.S. institutions. Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts provides up to US $3,000 to help cover tuition, fees, room and board, and other approved college costs through its Springfield Women’s Club Scholarship Fund.

Women- and girl-serving education organizations in Puerto Rico seeking support for gender equity in STEM may be eligible for this scholarship-style funding opportunity. The San Diego Foundation’s Athena Scholarship awards US $1,000 - US $5,000 to San Diego County high school seniors advancing gender equity in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with demonstrated financial need.

Women’s and girls’ organizations in Puerto Rico working in environmental conservation, sustainability, or stewardship can receive organizational support through the Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award, which offers US $10,000. Focused on women’s leadership, Rachels Network also provides wraparound leadership services and recognition for mid-career women of color environmental leaders across the U.S. and territories.

Women environmental leaders and mid-career women of color in Puerto Rico working on sustainability and environmental stewardship can receive personal support through this award. Rachels Network provides US $15,000 personal grants, plus potential organizational funding, leadership services, and public recognition for women advancing a healthier, safer, and more just world.

Women leading nonprofit initiatives that serve women and girls, children, education, or community development can receive funding to advance their work in Puerto Rico and across the U.S. The Women of Worth Award from L'Oreal Paris provides US $25,000, mentorship, and a national platform to amplify each honoree’s impact and story.

 YWCA Clark County Chan Barnett Scholarship

The mission of the YWCA Clark County Scholarship is to advance, support and promote education for women returning to the workforce.

The YWCA Clark County Scholarship was founded in 1994 by Channing R. R. Barnett with the purpose of helping women acquire training they need to become employable and self-sufficient.

Channing was sixty when she left her marriage. She had been a wife and mother for thirty two years - and worried she had no 'marketable skills' with which to support herself. Conquering her fears, Chan enrolled in Clark College's Displaced Homemakers Program. With the support of other women, Chan began to explore and develop her own talents. Drawing on her strong conviction to 'paddle her own canoe' she decided to make the most of her resources.

Reading the Wall Street Journal from cover to cover, taking advantage of every free resource she could find, and having the confidence to call investment brokers and ask lots of questions eventually paid off! As Chan said, she went from, "just having my toes in the stock market, then my ankle, and now I'm swimming up to my neck!"

The support she received from YWCA during this challenging time inspired Chan to start YWCA Scholarship. Her personal success is an inspiration to us all; it is her hope to pass along that inspiration to other women who face similar challenges.

Award Amount

One to two scholarships in the range between $1,000 - $4,000 may be awarded at the scholarship committee's discretion.

The Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky High School STEM Scholarship Fund provides financial support to female high school seniors from Erie, Huron, or Ottawa County, Ohio, who plan to pursue a degree in STEM or medical fields at accredited institutions. Established by the Zonta Club, this scholarship aims to empower young women to contribute positively to their communities by facilitating access to higher education opportunities. Since its inception, it has fostered academic growth and leadership among recipients.