Best Grants for Minorities in Missouri

Missouri Arts Council

The Missouri Arts Council supports the arts that strengthen the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of our state.

Established as a state agency in 1965, the Missouri Arts Council is a division of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The Council is funded through the Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Cultural Trust, and National Endowment for the Arts.

The Missouri Arts Council is the state agency dedicated—as public leader, partner, and catalyst—to broadening the growth, availability, and appreciation of the arts in Missouri and fostering the diversity, vitality, and excellence of Missouri’s communities, economy, and cultural heritage. The grants we award make possible quality arts programming to communities both large and small throughout the state. We provide grants to arts projects that meet our strategic goals:

• Engage people in meaningful arts experiences
• Grow Missouri’s economy using the arts
• Strengthen Missouri education through the arts

In addition to funding, we provide technical assistance in community development, fundraising, marketing, grant writing, arts education, artistic disciplines (visual arts, music, literature, theater, dance, festivals, and film/media) and more.

Annual Grants

Annual Grants are designed for experienced Missouri Arts Council applicants with large budget arts projects. The annual application is extensive and more demanding with a rigid deadline schedule, a more competitive review process, and a longer turnaround. While the request amount is higher, organizations receive a smaller percentage of their request based on our funding. 

Annual Grants: Organizations of Color

Organizations must meet the following criteria:

• Organizations where a majority of the board and staff (combined) are American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (as reflected in the Demographic section of the application).
• The mission of the organization has historically served people of color. Supports arts projects created by and/or targeted to African-American, Asian-American, Latino/Hispanic, and Native American communities. 

Missouri NCAA Division III member institutions seeking to create new assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation can receive salary and benefits support through this grant. The National Collegiate Athletic Association provides two years of matching funding for these diversity-focused coaching roles, supporting efforts that benefit minority student-athletes and campus communities.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions in Missouri and nationwide can receive funding to create full-time, mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions that enhance ethnic minority and gender representation. National Collegiate Athletic Association support covers roles involving strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions to increase ethnic minority and gender representation can receive US $48,000 over three years for salary, wages, and benefits. With a mission to enhance diversity in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Missouri institutions and other Division II schools with support for inclusive sports coaching roles.

Missouri 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 the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Grants support full-time positions over five years with duties such as strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare, within a broader U.S. and Canada program.

Missouri minority-serving athletics programs and NCAA Division II conference offices can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, entry-level administrative internships. Awards of US $30,000 support intern salary plus professional development, helping increase ethnic minority and women’s representation in areas like compliance, budgeting, student-athlete welfare, and diversity initiatives across eligible Division II members.

Missouri minority health and physical education professionals with at least ten years in HPERD settings who are long-standing SHAPE America members may be eligible for the E.B. Henderson Award. Missouri minority educators can access funding through Society of Health and Physical Educators, which honors exemplary scholarship, mentorship, and service to ethnic minorities and underserved populations.

Presbyterian undergraduate students, including those from minority communities in Missouri, can receive scholarship support for their first associate or bachelor’s degree through this program. Grants from Presbyterian Mission Agency help U.S. PC(USA) church members attend accredited colleges full-time in 2025–2026, with awards up to US $6,000.

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 programs in Missouri and nationwide. Reboot Representation Tech Coalition prioritizes multi-geometry, research-backed initiatives that leverage existing infrastructure and demonstrate strong impact data.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those from Missouri, can receive up to US $3,000 for college costs through scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. With a mission to support minority students, the foundation offers one-year awards that can be reapplied for annually and used toward tuition, fees, and living expenses.

Minority high school seniors and GED students pursuing higher education, primarily students of color who have overcome significant obstacles, may be eligible for renewable US $3,000 scholarships, including those from Missouri. Community Foundation of South Puget Sound’s Learning Seed Foundation Scholarship supports students with significant financial need and a demonstrated commitment to others.

Minority high school seniors and recent graduates pursuing postsecondary education can receive scholarship support for higher education or technical training; awards are US $1,000. Focused on expanding educational access, The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond invites applicants of African American or other minority heritage from Louisa or Fluvanna County public schools to apply.

Minority students in Missouri pursuing marketing, advertising, design, or computer science studies can apply for the Diversity in Advertising Scholarship to support their education. Focused on advancing opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, Innovia Foundation considers academic achievement plus school, work, and community involvement; previous recipients may reapply.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509 organizations working on minority and community-focused initiatives, including Black, Hispanic, and other underrepresented groups, may be eligible for operating support through Deluxe Corporation Foundation’s ERG Grant Program. Focus areas include financial literacy, STEM/STEAM, entrepreneurship, women’s and veterans’ services, disaster recovery, and human dignity, with eligibility extending nationally and to parts of Missouri and nearby regions.

Undergraduate engineering students from marginalized ethnicities or genders in Missouri can apply for the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s renewable PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship, awarding up to US $20,000 for tuition and other direct educational costs. Eligible students must attend a U.S. 4-year college and be pursuing climate-focused engineering fields.

Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, including those from Missouri, can apply for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Indian Motorcycle Academic Scholarship, awarding US $5,000 per year for education costs. Eligible applicants must be AISES members with a 3.0+ GPA and enrolled or descendant citizens of recognized Indigenous communities.

American Indian and Alaska Native LSAMP alumni starting STEM PhD programs in the U.S. can apply for Montana State University's Louis Stokes Bridge to the Doctorate support, which provides a total of US $88,000 in stipends and education allowances. Missouri students who meet these criteria and seek graduate-level minority support may benefit.

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.

PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Part-Time Scholarship

The purpose of the PNM Pueblo Education Endowment Part-Time Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students from one of the nineteen Pueblo Nations of New Mexico who are pursuing a certificate, vocational trade, or degree.

This program will award six scholarships per academic year. This opportunity is a merit-based award.

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.

Wells Fargo Scholarship for Undergraduates

The Wells Fargo Scholarship for Undergraduates provides financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in any field of study.

The maximum amount of an academic year award is $5,000. This opportunity is a need-based award.

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds. 

Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Latino Breakfast Club Scholarship Fund   

To support graduating Latino high school seniors from Hampden County.

Additional Guidelines

Students can receive up to $3,000 in scholarships from the Community Foundation.

Scholarship awards could impact the financial aid offered by a college, and students are advised to check with their college financial aid offices about this.

Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. Some part and/or all the award could be considered taxable income. It is advisable students check with the college or tax accountant regarding this matter.

The Talati Family Scholarship Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, aims to support students of color pursuing higher education. Students can apply through a single online application, which connects them to various scholarships based on eligibility. Awards can reach up to $3,000 and may impact financial aid offers. This scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students attending accredited institutions in the U.S., particularly those from Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties.

David & Priscilla Morris Scholarship

The David and Priscilla Morris Scholarship was established to provide tuition support for Black or African American students attending Western Michigan University.

KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution.

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

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.

Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program 

The Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program, created in the memory of Jane Wilson Hooper and Colonel Philip L. Hooper, provides financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Technology (Associate of Applied Science) full-time at an accredited institution. 

The maximum amount of an academic year award is $5,000. This opportunity is a renewable, merit-based award.

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.

Grace Wall Barreda Memorial Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Grace Wall Barreda.

The purpose of the Grace Wall Barreda Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in Public Health or Environmental Science/Studies.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

LinkScholars Program Scholarship ($2,000) 

This renewable scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, or Sumter counties in South Carolina.

The HEEF: Hispanic Education Endowment Fund Scholarship provides academic financial support to US Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Dream Act/AB 540 students residing in Orange County, California. With awards starting at $2,500, this fund assists high school and community college transfers who demonstrate financial need and plan to enroll in a four-year college or university in Fall 2025. Additional donor-specific sub-funds offer varying amounts, enhancing accessibility to higher education.

The Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program supports federally-recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and organizations in advancing health-related research. It aims to enhance research careers and infrastructure through a competitive application process. Funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services, this initiative invites eligible entities to apply, ensuring that only high-quality proposals undergo peer review for potential funding.