Best Grants for Native Americans in Alabama

Alabama 501(c)(3) organizations serving children, indigent Native Americans, or neglected animals can seek funding for programs in education, health, human services, environment, arts, and related areas. Grants from Melba Bayers Meyer Charitable Trust help Alabama Native American services and other charitable initiatives that prevent cruelty to children or animals and advance community well-being.

Arts organizations and fiscally sponsored arts groups in Alabama rooted in Native or other communities of color with under $500,000 in annual revenue can apply for South Arts’ Cultural Sustainability grants, awarding US $50,000 - US $150,000 for general operating support. Funding may cover rent, salaries, utilities, wellness initiatives, and other organizational sustainability needs.

Individuals working on Wabanaki cultural preservation, Native arts, or environmental stewardship, including those from Alabama, may be eligible for this scholarship supporting cultural, artistic, and environmental preservation projects. Focused on traditional knowledge, the Maine Community Foundation’s David Moses Bridges Scholarship funds work connecting master artists and apprentices, research and publications, and protection of culturally important natural spaces.

Charitable organizations and local governments in select Oregon counties, plus Native American organizations across the U.S., can seek funding for education, health, housing, public safety, addiction treatment, the arts, environment, and cultural and historic preservation. Focused on Native American services and heritage, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians invite eligible groups, including those serving Alabama, to apply.

American Indian and Alaska Native high school seniors in Alabama planning full-time study at an accredited nonprofit U.S. college or Tribal College can receive scholarships averaging US $2,000 - US $3,000 for higher education costs. The American Indian College Fund uses one application to consider students for its full portfolio of merit-based awards.

Native American and Alaska Native students in Alabama and nationwide enrolled at Tribal Colleges and Universities can apply for scholarships averaging US $2,000 - US $3,000 to support certificate, undergraduate, or graduate study. Grants from American Indian College Fund help Indigenous students at accredited non-profit institutions in the U.S. cover educational costs.

Native American and Alaska Native students in Alabama pursuing certificate, undergraduate, or graduate degrees at accredited nonprofit U.S. colleges can receive $2,000 - $3,000 scholarships for tuition and education costs. Grants from American Indian College Fund help eligible students who are tribal members or descendants with at least a 2.0 GPA and full-time enrollment.

Native American-serving organizations working on services, culture, education, health, or environmental protection in Alabama and beyond can seek support for community programs. Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation’s Yocha Dehe Community Fund prioritizes initiatives in health and wellness, Native arts and culture, environmental protection, and the advancement of Native rights and Tribal sovereignty across the U.S.

Federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, Tribal colleges or universities, Tribal health programs, and Tribal organizations can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to support health-related research and infrastructure. Eligible Tribal entities in Alabama may apply for Native American-focused research, career development, and capacity-building projects under this limited competition program.

Native-led organizations and community initiatives strengthening Indigenous nations through language revitalization, safety for women, girls and Two-Spirit people, and innovative leadership may be eligible for support in Alabama and beyond. Grants from Vadon Foundation help Native American services and culture programs in the U.S. and Canada address multi-generational challenges and build long-term community wellbeing.

Alabama Native American governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on legal issues around Indian land ownership and control can access funding through Indian Land Tenure Foundation’s Legal Reform Grant Program. Projects may include estate planning, land policy reform, landowner associations, or initiatives that strengthen tribal sovereignty and improve the legal framework for owning and managing Indian land.

Tribal governments, local and state governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Alabama can apply for Indian Land Tenure Foundation’s Economic Opportunity support to improve productive use and control of reservation lands. Funding helps Native communities prioritize land acquisition strategies, develop land use opportunities, and expand direct owner management of Indian land, benefiting Native American communities.

With a mission to support emerging leaders, the Udall Foundation provides Alabama undergraduate students focused on environmental issues, Tribal public policy, or Native American and Alaska Native health care with scholarships up to US $7,500. Eligible U.S. sophomores and juniors at accredited colleges may apply through their institution’s faculty representative.

Native-led organizations focused on cultural and ecological renewal rooted in reverent connection to the Earth may be eligible for support, including work benefiting Native communities in Alabama. Kalliopeia Foundation supports U.S.-based projects in land care and Indigenous leadership that regenerate soil, soul, and community, especially intergenerational efforts and those uplifting Indigenous women and traditional knowledge.

Native American–serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the U.S., including those in Alabama, can seek project-specific funding for American Indian self-sufficiency, entrepreneurism, education, and cultural preservation. Focused on advancing American Indian culture and rights, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation awards US $10,000 - US $20,000 and requires follow-up reports on funded projects.

Native-led grassroots organizations focused on community organizing and advocacy can access funding to strengthen leadership and collective action efforts, including in Alabama. Grants from Common Counsel Foundation’s Native Voices Rising program provide general operating support for groups rooted in Native communities that develop leaders, engage large numbers of members, and work to improve policies affecting Native people.

The TURTLE Program aims to empower Tribal Entities by fostering a skilled workforce in biomedical research. It supports undergraduate and graduate students in health research, ensuring they complete their degrees and transition into impactful careers. With phased awards, the program emphasizes effective training and mentoring, inviting eligible organizations to apply. Applications will undergo NIH's peer-review process, ensuring only the most meritorious proposals are funded, ultimately enhancing Tribal health research capabilities.

The Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (NANH) program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), aims to support Native American Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and organizations serving Native Hawaiians. It focuses on preserving heritage and culture through educational services, workforce development, capacity building, community engagement, and effective collections stewardship. This initiative is crucial for sustaining the rich cultural heritage of Native communities.

The Funding the Future of Finance in Indian Country/Johnson Scholarship offers financial support to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate students pursuing full-time degrees in business, accounting, or finance. The program aims to enhance diversity in these fields and provides awards of up to $10,000 per academic year based on need. Applicants must demonstrate Tribal affiliation through a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

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.

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.

Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship

The purpose of the Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited institution and pursuing degrees with a focus in Indigenous languages, natural resources, land management, and conservation or cultural preservation. 

This opportunity is a need-based award.

What We Do

At the North Carolina Community Foundation, we bring together generous people and connect them to causes and organizations they care about.

Our mission is to inspire North Carolinians to make lasting and meaningful contributions to their communities.

Our Philanthropic Network

We believe in the power of permanent philanthropy to strengthen our communities and people. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, our philanthropic network makes a powerful impact through robust grants and scholarships programs.

Bill Taylor Scholarship Endowment

Criteria

Enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians or their spouses, children or other immediate family members attending a two- or four-year college or university.

The Native Public Health Resilience (NPHR) program is a new funding opportunity aimed at supporting Tribes and Tribal Organizations in delivering essential public health services. Sponsored by the Indian Health Service, this initiative seeks to bolster public health infrastructure and resilience within tribal communities, ensuring they have the necessary resources to address health challenges effectively. Eligible applicants will receive financial assistance to enhance their public health capabilities and improve community health outcomes.

CDC Foundation

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the public health system save and improve lives by unleashing the power of partnerships to protect the health, safety and security of all communities, everywhere. The CDC Foundation is authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners, corporations, organizations and individuals to support the critical health protection mission of CDC and the public health system.

The CDC Foundation manages hundreds of programs each year aimed at protecting communities across the country from a variety of health threats—from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like malaria and HIV to emergency responses, such as Ebola and Zika.

Contractor for Implementation and Evaluation of Healthy Native Babies Project Materials

The CDC Foundation invites proposals from Tribes, Tribal Serving Organizations (TSOs), and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) [T/TSOs/UIOs] to implement and evaluate the implementation of the updated Healthy Native Babies Project (HNBP) materials within their service areas. This initiative aims to strengthen culturally relevant infant safe sleep education, increase community awareness and support Native families in reducing sleep related infant deaths. Selected T/TSOs/UIOs will adapt, disseminate and assess the use of HNBP materials in ways that reflect the cultural, linguistic and community-specific needs of the Native populations they serve.

The Tribal Colleges Extension Program Special Emphasis (TCEP-SE) aims to enhance community engagement through pilot projects at 1994 Institutions, targeting issues like agricultural productivity, food systems, and public health. This program is open to a wide range of Tribal colleges and universities, promoting workforce development and youth involvement in agriculture. By addressing local needs, TCEP-SE fosters community vitality and prepares the next generation of Tribal agriculture leaders.

The Charles Hamlin Scholarship, established by Nurses Educational Funds, Inc., supports professional nurses pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in nursing. Applicants must hold a current RN license and demonstrate a commitment to nursing leadership, particularly in orthopedic care and the well-being of Native American communities. The scholarship honors Dr. Charles Hamlin's legacy, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in healthcare and preventing burnout among healthcare professionals. This award aims to empower future nursing leaders and enhance diversity in the field.