Best Grants for Women in Rhode Island

Rhode Island NCAA Division III institutions seeking to create new assistant coaching positions that advance ethnic minority and gender representation can apply for this coaching enhancement grant. The National Collegiate Athletic Association provides two years of matching support for salary, wages, and benefits to strengthen diversity efforts in women’s and other NCAA-sponsored sports programs.

NCAA Division III colleges and multisport conferences in Rhode Island working to advance women and ethnic minorities in athletics administration can apply for Strategic Alliance Matching Grants to support full-time mid- to senior-level staff roles. Funding supports positions handling strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on education or health programs, including those serving women and girls in Rhode Island, can apply for grants from L B Research and Education Foundation. Awards of US $10,000 - US $75,000 support expansion of proven, research-informed programs addressing opportunity gaps, especially for underserved adolescents, post-secondary learners, and adult vocational or mental health populations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Established in January 2026, the Irene Zurine Memorial Scholarship Fund awards scholarships each year to support girls and women, traditional or nontraditional students, who are furthering their education.

Female high school seniors pursuing higher education who attend Scranton or West Scranton High School and live in Lackawanna County may be eligible for this women and girls scholarship, which can support college costs. Scranton Area Foundation offers the Junior League of Scranton Scholarship, which may interest Rhode Island searchers seeking examples of women-focused educational aid.

Women who are unemployed or under-employed seeking higher education or vocational training can receive multiyear scholarship support for tuition and other college expenses from Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Grants from Kalamazoo Community Foundation help women and girl services by funding associate, bachelor’s, graduate, professional development, and trade programs, though residency is limited to select Michigan counties rather than Rhode Island.

Women age 19 and older from Hampden County pursuing two- or four-year degree programs can receive scholarship support for tuition, fees, room and board, and related costs. Grants from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts help U.S. students in higher education, and women-focused programs in Rhode Island may find this scholarship information useful for their participants.

Women-focused STEM education programs in Rhode Island can access funding through the San Diego Foundation’s Athena Scholarship, which supports higher education for students advancing gender equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Eligible applicants are U.S. citizens or permanent residents pursuing four-year STEM degrees, with awards ranging from US $1,000 - US $5,000.

Women-of-color environmental leaders affiliated with organizations, including those in Rhode Island, can apply for Rachels Network’s Catalyst Award organizational grant, offering US $10,000 for their work. Eligible leaders focused on sustainability, environmental conservation, stewardship, or services for women and girls may also receive leadership support and public recognition.

Women of color environmental leaders working in Rhode Island can access funding and support through the Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award. Grants from Rachel’s Network help women and girl services by providing a US $15,000 personal award, optional organizational funding, wraparound leadership services, and public recognition for mid-career leaders advancing environmental stewardship and justice across the U.S. and territories.

Nonprofit women leaders supporting women, girls, education, child welfare, or community development in Rhode Island and beyond can receive funding to advance their service initiatives. With a mission to celebrate community service, L'Oreal Paris provides U.S. and U.S. Territories changemakers with the Women of Worth Award, offering US $25,000, mentorship, and national visibility.

Women survivors of domestic violence returning to the workforce who are Washington residents and connected to YWCA Clark County can receive US $1,000 - US $4,000 in scholarship support for education and training. Grants from Community Foundation for Southwest Washington may interest Rhode Island groups serving women and girls with similar economic empowerment needs.

Female high school seniors pursuing STEM or medical majors at accredited nonprofit colleges or vocational schools can apply for Erie County Community Foundation’s Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky High School STEM Scholarship Fund. Eligible students must reside in Erie, Huron, or Ottawa County, Ohio; this scholarship may benefit women-focused education programs similar to those in Rhode Island.

Adult women returning to school for undergraduate or vocational programs can receive scholarship support to continue their education, which may benefit women in Rhode Island studying at eligible U.S. institutions. With a mission to strengthen communities, Erie County Community Foundation backs the Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky Nontraditional Students Scholarship Fund.

Female high school seniors pursuing an undergraduate degree with at least a 3.5 GPA and demonstrated financial need can receive scholarship support for higher education; applicants must attend specified high schools in Erie County, Ohio. Erie County Community Foundation’s College Women's Club Charitable Fund Scholarship may interest organizations assisting women and girls, including those in Rhode Island seeking comparable opportunities.

Doctoral students at U.S. universities researching 19th–early 21st century Russian/Soviet history can receive up to US $28,000 for dissertation research or completion, including a designated women’s and gender studies fellowship. With a mission to advance Slavic and Eurasian studies, the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies provides Rhode Island scholars with substantial support for this work.

AAUW branches and state organizations in Rhode Island designing or running hands-on STEM programs for girls in grades K–12 can receive up to US $10,000 to expand or deepen their impact. American Association of University Women (AAUW) supports projects building STEM skills, confidence, identity, mentoring, and college or career preparation for girls.

Rhode Island organizations serving girls with STEM education programs can access funding through American Association of University Women to run community-based projects that build STEM skills, confidence, and identity. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits, K–12 schools, colleges, universities, and fiscally sponsored groups may receive up to US $50,000 for hands-on learning, mentorship, and related supports.

Women and nonbinary adults pursuing technical, vocational, or first college degrees can receive non-tuition educational support, including those from Rhode Island studying at accredited U.S. institutions. Jeannette Rankin Foundation provides U.S. students focused on women and girl services with renewable Emerge Grants, offering up to US $12,500 over multiple years for educational expenses.

Women and nonbinary adult students in Rhode Island and nationwide can apply for Jeannette Rankin Foundation’s National Scholar Grant, awarding up to US $2,500 in unrestricted, non-tuition support. Eligible applicants are 35 or older (with some location exceptions), demonstrate financial need, and are pursuing technical, vocational, associate’s, or first bachelor’s degrees at accredited U.S. institutions.

Rhode Island women and girls seeking higher education in business may be eligible for a one-time academic scholarship through the Bernice M. Brightbill Fund. Administered by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, this award supports senior female students with financial need pursuing business studies degrees, with scholarships ranging from US $500 - US $10,000.

Grassroots Voices, led by Vital Voices Global Partnership Inc, empowers young women aged 18-25 in the U.S. engaged in grassroots justice work. This program offers a unique opportunity to join a supportive cohort, travel to Washington, D.C., and engage with influential women leaders. Participants will enhance their skills and amplify their impact on critical issues like social inequity and reproductive justice, fostering a community of changemakers dedicated to transforming their lives and the world.

The Career Development Grant for Postdoctoral Women awards up to $2,000 to 5-8 eligible postdoctoral women for travel to meetings, laboratory visits, or courses to enhance their research and leadership skills. This grant, offered by the American Society for Microbiology, aims to support women with significant scientific achievements in their professional development while encouraging ongoing engagement with ASM.