Best Diversity Grants for Nonprofits in Washington

Reflective, community-led nonprofits in Washington can receive funding for power-building efforts such as civil rights, immigrant justice, youth organizing, civic engagement, and community wealth and asset creation. Focused on racial justice and disability and youth leadership, Inatai Foundation invites organizations led by those most impacted by structural inequities to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

Washington-based nonprofit organizations and Sovereign Nations leading community power-building campaigns can apply for the Inatai Foundation’s Campaigns, Litigation, Issues & Policy (CLIP) Fund to support political and policy work within the state. Funding can back ballot measures, litigation, legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, and related research, and may benefit groups advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and racial justice.

Nonprofit organizations and community projects in Washington working on outdoor equity, basic needs, or environmental conservation can apply for Superfeet Foundation’s local grants, with awards of US $2,500 - US $10,000. Grants from this Pacific Northwest program may benefit diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that expand equitable access to outdoor recreation and community spaces.

Visual artists in Washington seeking debt relief and support for community-engaged visual arts practice can apply for up to US $25,000 to advance their careers and impact. Focused on artistic excellence and social justice, the Robert B McMillen Foundation invites artists active in community building and diversity, equity, and inclusion work to apply.

NCAA Division II colleges and multisport conference offices in Washington can apply for the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s internship grant, awarding US $30,000 for a full-time, entry-level athletics administration position plus professional development support. Programs focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and expanding ethnic minority and women’s representation in athletics administration may be eligible.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Alaska Airlines Foundation provides Washington 501(c)(3) nonprofits with in-kind transportation and sponsorships for fundraising events. Organizations advancing youth success, career readiness, care and belonging, environmental sustainability, community resiliency, or diversity, equity and inclusion in communities served by Alaska Airlines may be eligible; support is typically one-time and must be requested six weeks before events.

NCAA Division II colleges and multisport conference offices in Washington and other eligible regions can apply for the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Strategic Alliance Matching Grant to fund full-time athletics administration positions advancing diversity and equity. Support covers mid- to senior-level roles focused on strategic planning, compliance, fundraising, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

Washington diversity, equity, and inclusion campaigns and coalitions can access funding through Inatai Foundation to support community-led policy and systems-change work. Eligible groups are led by communities most impacted by structural inequities and may use one-time annual grants for ballot measures, litigation, legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, and related issue-based campaigns advancing racial justice.

BIPOC-led nonprofit organizations in Washington running youth programs in athletics, culture, or education for ages 6–18 can receive support for general operations and programming that increase racial equity and opportunity. The Charlotte Martin Foundation prioritizes rural communities, STEAM and post-secondary access, cultural expression, and diversifying youth sports in its five-state Western region.

Washington NCAA Division III member institutions seeking to create new assistant coaching positions that advance ethnic minority and gender representation can apply for this coaching enhancement grant. Focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, National Collegiate Athletic Association funding supports salary, wages, and benefits for two years, with the school providing an annual match.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions in Washington can apply for support to create full-time, mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Grants from the National Collegiate Athletic Association help fund roles that advance ethnic minority and gender representation while overseeing planning, compliance, fundraising, and student-athlete welfare.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions can apply for the Coaching Enhancement Grant, which supports diversity in athletic coaching across Washington and other eligible regions. With a mission to strengthen inclusive sports leadership, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides three-year awards totaling US $48,000 for salary, wages, and benefits.

New and at-risk biomedical investigators proposing independent research projects in NIH scientific mission areas, including diversity, equity, and inclusion in health-related sciences, can apply for this R01 opportunity; eligible applicants in Washington and nationwide may benefit. The National Institutes of Health offers multiple application cycles for new, renewal, resubmission, and revision proposals through 2027.

Graduate students conducting aging and gerontology research with a diversity focus, including those based in Washington institutions, can seek dissertation funding through the National Institutes of Health. With a mission to promote a diverse aging-research workforce, NIH provides awards up to US $142,312 for dissertation projects on aging and aging-related health conditions.

Late-stage biomedical graduate students from diverse backgrounds in Washington and nationwide can seek support to complete their PhD research and transition into mentored postdoctoral positions. Grants from the US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health support dissertation research, postdoctoral training, and cohort-based mentoring, networking, and professional development that may benefit diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in research careers.

Washington diversity, equity, and inclusion researchers can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to support health-related research alongside DEIA activities. Eligible projects advance biomedical research while strengthening diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the U.S. research enterprise, including work conducted in Washington and U.S. territories, through the ReWARD (R01) mechanism.

Swim lesson providers and youth-serving programs offering learn-to-swim classes for children under 19, including those in Washington, can apply for more than US $1,000 from the USA Swimming Foundation to expand access for underserved youth. Funding supports free or reduced-cost lessons and transportation, for approved Swim Lesson Provider Network members with valid EIN and required insurance.

The USA Swimming Foundation's HBCU Grant program is a $1 million initiative aimed at enhancing swimming opportunities in communities served by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Launched in 2021, the program provides annual grants of $100,000 over ten years, supporting youth water safety lessons and university swim clubs. This initiative is designed to empower HBCUs to expand their aquatic programming, fostering inclusivity and safety in swimming across diverse communities nationwide.

The NCI Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Non-Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K22) aims to support postdoctoral fellows from underrepresented backgrounds in transitioning to tenure-track positions. This award provides essential funding for salary and research support for three years, enabling candidates to establish independent biomedical careers. Key deadlines for applications range from February 2025 to October 2027, ensuring ample opportunity for eligible researchers to secure funding for their career development.

The Limited Competition Small Grant Program under the NCATS CTSA aims to enhance the research capabilities of scholars transitioning to independent academic translational scientists. This program supports diverse clinical and translational science projects, including pilot studies and methodology development. The R03 grants are designed for short-term projects with limited resources that generate preliminary data for future R01 applications, thereby fostering innovation and advancing health research.

The NIDCD invites R01 grant applications aimed at independent research projects related to the mission of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. This opportunity promotes workforce development by supporting Early Stage and New Investigators, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds in health sciences. Letters of Intent are encouraged 30 days before the proposal deadline, allowing diverse researchers to collaborate and contribute to vital health-related studies.

The NLN-Health Carousel Foundation Nurse Educator Scholarship Award provides a $8,000 scholarship to nurses who earned their initial nursing degree outside the U.S. and are now licensed in the U.S. This award supports those pursuing advanced degrees to enhance their careers as nurse educators. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program and have completed at least one academic year by the application deadline, with funds applicable for tuition, books, and research-related expenses.

The NLN Cecelia Lou Vriheas Scholarship Award offers an $8,000 scholarship to first-generation nursing students from historically marginalized groups pursuing advanced degrees. This award aims to support those committed to becoming full-time nurse educators. Eligible candidates must be enrolled in accredited nursing programs and demonstrate academic excellence. The scholarship can be used for tuition, books, and related expenses, fostering diversity in nursing education and leadership.

The Emerging Voices Fellowship offers a five-month virtual mentorship for early-career writers from underrepresented communities, including Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and disabled individuals. This program aims to enhance their publishing skills through one-on-one mentorship, workshops, and access to industry professionals. Participants also benefit from community-building events and an honorarium. Established by PEN America, this fellowship seeks to diversify the literary landscape and is open to various genres, fostering creative growth and professional development in a supportive environment.

The T32 Training Program aims to enhance the participation of individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, and sleep disorders research. This initiative, funded by the NIH, supports institutions committed to diversity and health disparity populations. By providing training opportunities for students and postdoctoral trainees, the program seeks to foster research that improves health outcomes for these communities. Note that appointed trainees cannot lead independent clinical trials but can gain experience in trials conducted by mentors.

Organizations and individuals in the chemical sciences working on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Washington can receive $1,250 to $2,750 to expand ongoing DEI initiatives. Grants from American Chemical Society honor efforts that increase participation of historically marginalized groups, women, and people with disabilities in chemistry, and include travel support to the relevant ACS regional meeting.

LeRoy T. Walker

LeRoy T. Walker (June 14, 1918 – April 23, 2012) was an icon. A noted author, professor, coach, and administrator in the disciplines of physical education and athletics, he was a barrier-breaking and remarkable human being who was dedicated to promoting and uplifting young people.

Walker was Chancellor Emeritus of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham, NC. He was elected President of the Athletics Congress (now USA Track & Field), the national governing body of USA Track & Field. Walker was elected President Emeritus of the United States' Olympic Committee (the first and only American to hold this position) and was a former president of AAHPERD (from 1977-1978, also the first African American to be elected to this position). Walker was inducted as a member into 17 Halls of Fame, awarded 16 Honorary Doctorates from a variety of institutions, and received numerous awards, including the Luther H. Gulick Award (1982), SHAPE America's highest honor.

The LeRoy T. Walker Young Professional Award

The LeRoy T. Walker Young Professional Award is given to a minority member of SHAPE America who is 36 years old or younger who has demonstrated superior promise in the areas of service, teaching, scholarship and commitment to the goals of SHAPE America focusing specifically on under-represented and/or underserved populations and promotion of diversity and inclusiveness. Not more than one LeRoy Walker Young Professional award shall be given annually.