Best Grants for Minorities in California

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Community Foundation of Shelby County

Our Mission

To inspire donor generosity and transform it into meaningful, lasting impact through charitable gifts.

Our Vision

To be the primary partner for donors who want to advance the community’s quality of life and capacity for excellence.

James P. Humphrey, Black Achievers Scholarship

Shelby County residents who are of African-American descent and a graduating senior at a Shelby County High School maintaining a high school GPA of no less than 2.0.

Selection based upon (in order of priority):

Financial need, academic ability, demonstrated community and school service, and recommendations, and an interview.

Awards Vary.

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 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.

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.

About Legacy Foundation

Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana. We connect people, knowledge, and funding to build an equitable, accessible, and inclusive Lake County, now and for generations to come.

Legacy Foundation is supported by a broad base of individuals, families, and businesses connected by the desire to improve Lake County, Indiana. With a growing portfolio of over 300 funds and approximately $80 million in assets, Legacy Foundation is a trusted source for philanthropic giving in the region.

For over 30 years, Legacy Foundation has been empowering people, providing strategic leadership, and impactful philanthropic support to create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Mission Statement

Transforming Lake County by providing strategic leadership and impactful philanthropic support to ensure equitable opportunity for all communities that we serve.

Vision Statement

Create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

Latinos Count Scholarship

Use the chart below to see which scholarships are the best fit for you! You must complete the Legacy Universal Application to apply.

Scholarship eligibility requires students to attend an accredited 2 or 4 year public or private institution of higher learning. All scholarships are for full-time students, unless otherwise noted. Renewable awards are for 4 years of undergraduate study and cannot be used for post graduate coursework; all awards are paid directly to the school or may be used for book reimbursement.

Pacific Redwoods Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Crisis Action Fund

The Pacific Redwoods Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Crisis Action Fund supports work being done to address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis in Northern California. Specifically, by providing grants to Tribes and non-profit organizations, the grants will support strengthening organizing, advocacy, technical assistance and capacity building for programs working to advance efforts in California.

Average grant size:

• $5,000 -$7,000

Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis.