Best Grants for Minorities in California

The Employment Development Department released an SFP for the Campesino de California Outreach Grant – Radio Media Program for PY 23-24. This SFP makes available up to $100,000 in funding for the development and implementation of radio talk shows aimed at reaching domestic and foreign Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFW) and their families to inform them about workforce programs and other community services available to them.

The primary goal of this grant is to develop and deliver 16 semi-monthly, 30-minute hosted radio shows and record in video format for the MSFW population in Spanish. Additionally, the grantee must use complementing online and social media outlets to publicize the radio talk show and communicate additional information as necessary to enhance existing outreach channels to support the outreach efforts by government, community-based organizations, and partners serving MSFWs in rural and hard to reach communities.

The Doyuti T’uhkama Grant, established by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, supports various initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of Native people and Californians. Since its inception in 2016, it has allocated $90 million to projects focusing on cultural preservation, education, and health within Patwin territory. Grants range from $200,000 to $2 million, prioritizing partnerships with tribes, non-profits, and local agencies. Letters of Intent are welcomed year-round, reviewed biannually.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

The Bernice Barlow NAACP Scholarship, awarded by the Saginaw Community Foundation, supports high school seniors pursuing higher education or vocational training. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be current members or children of members of the Saginaw NAACP Branch. This scholarship honors Bernice Barlow, a dedicated educator and NAACP leader, providing financial assistance to foster educational opportunities in the community. Awards typically range from $500 to $4,000, helping students achieve their career goals.

Who We Are

Our Mission

UNCF envisions a nation where all Americans have equal access to a college education that prepares them for rich intellectual lives, competitive and fulfilling careers, engaged citizenship and service to our nation.

UNCF’s mission is to build a robust and nationally-recognized pipeline of under-represented students who, because of UNCF support, become highly-qualified college graduates and to ensure that our network of member institutions is a respected model of best practice in moving students to and through college.

UNCF’s North Star is to increase the total annual number of African American college graduates by focusing on activities that ensure more students are college-ready, enroll in college and persist to graduation. This is done through a three-pillar strategy. Positioning member institutions as a viable college option for students and investing in institutional capacity to improve student outcomes; creating transformational support programs to ensure students are enrolling and persisting through college completion; building awareness of educational attainment and cultivating college-going behaviors within the African American community.

For Students

UNCF is more than just scholarships. We’re the nation’s leading minority education organization and our goal is to help you get to and through college.

Our support takes many different forms. From merit scholarships to financial assistance, on-campus assistance to professional development, emergency financial aid to community support, UNCF is committed to getting more students like you to and through college.

2026-2027 The Edward and Sandra Meyer Family Scholarship

The Edward and Sandra Meyer Family Scholarship is directed towards current talented high school seniors within the Class of 2026 from the state of New York, who will be enrolling at any accredited UNCF member institution or other accredited Historically Black College/University.

The Edward and Sandra Meyer Family Scholarship is directed towards academically achieving high school seniors, who are seeking enrollment at any accredited UNCF member institution or other Historically Black College/University. 

The Edward and Sandra Meyer Foundation, Inc. is a social impactful philanthropic organization based in New York. The foundation actively focuses on funding critical initiatives in the arts and culture, education, health and religion.

The Edward and Sandra Meyer Foundation, Inc. has partnered with UNCF to establish the Edward and Sandra Meyer Family Scholarship. This scholarship is focused on providing vital financial assistance to ensure that high school seniors within the state of New York have access to a quality college education.

The candidates will have the opportunity to enroll in any accredited field of study at their selected institution. The candidates must be enrolled as first-time freshman within the 2026-27 Academic year. The eligible candidates must have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 throughout the entire application process. 

The selected recipients will be eligible for renewal awards upon their continual adherence to the program guidelines and have established financial need by their institution each year.