Best Grants for Women in North Carolina

North Carolina colleges and athletic conferences serving women and ethnic minorities can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, entry-level athletics administration internships. Awards of US $30,000 plus professional development support one-year positions that build experience in strategic planning, budgeting, compliance, student-athlete welfare, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

North Carolina NCAA Division II conferences and institutions seeking to enhance ethnic minority and women’s representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Grants support full-time positions with responsibilities such as 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 apply for this coaching enhancement grant, including schools in North Carolina. With a mission to support diversity in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides up to US $48,000 over three years for salary, wages, and benefits.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions in North Carolina seeking to fund full-time athletics administration roles focused on diversity and inclusion may be eligible for this Strategic Alliance Matching Grant. National Collegiate Athletic Association support helps create mid- to senior-level positions with responsibilities such as strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, and student-athlete welfare.

NCAA Division III member institutions in North Carolina can use this grant to fund newly created assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation in NCAA-sponsored sports. The National Collegiate Athletic Association provides two years of matching support for salary, wages, and benefits to advance diversity in Division III athletic coaching staffs.

The Springfield Women’s Club Scholarship Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, aims to support women over 19 from Hampden County pursuing two- or four-year degrees. Eligible students can apply through a single online application that matches them with various scholarships, providing up to $3,000 in financial assistance. This initiative encourages women to further their education while addressing the unique needs of the community.

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Common Scholarship Application

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In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000.

In 2025, San Diego Foundation awarded a record-breaking $5.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,400 students.

The Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award is an impactful initiative aimed at supporting mid-career women of color in environmental leadership. This award provides recipients with a personal grant of $15,000 and, if applicable, an organizational grant of $10,000. It also offers essential leadership services and public recognition, fostering a community of empowered women dedicated to creating a healthier and more just world. The award exemplifies Rachel’s Network’s commitment to environmental advocacy and the promotion of women as leaders.

Women of color environmental leaders in North Carolina can receive personal funding to support their mid-career leadership and impact. Grants from Rachels Network help women and girl services and environmental stewardship leaders across the U.S., including North Carolina, with US $15,000 in personal support plus leadership services and public recognition.

Nonprofit women and girl service organizations in North Carolina working in education, child welfare, or community development can receive US $25,000 to advance their volunteer-driven causes. With a mission to honor community service, L'Oreal Paris provides national recognition, mentorship, and funding through its Women of Worth Award, open to leaders across the U.S. and territories.

Women survivors of domestic violence returning to the workforce can receive US $1,000 - US $4,000 in scholarship support through the YWCA Clark County Chan Barnett Scholarship, available to Washington state residents. Administered by Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, this renewable award helps cover education and training costs for women with financial need, including those focused on women and girl services.

Female high school seniors in Erie, Huron, or Ottawa Counties in Ohio planning STEM or medical majors can apply for the Zonta Club of Greater Sandusky High School STEM Scholarship Fund. Administered by Erie County Community Foundation, it supports study at accredited nonprofit colleges, universities, community colleges, or vocational schools in the U.S., and may benefit women-focused programs in North Carolina researching similar opportunities.

Female adult students returning to school for undergraduate or vocational programs may be eligible for this scholarship, which supports nontraditional students in higher or vocational education. With a mission to strengthen communities, Erie County Community Foundation provides women with funding to resume interrupted studies, which may benefit women in North Carolina studying at eligible U.S. institutions.

Female high school seniors pursuing an undergraduate degree and interested in women and girl services may benefit from this scholarship, though it is limited to specific Ohio schools rather than North Carolina. Erie County Community Foundation’s College Women's Club Charitable Fund Scholarship considers financial need and requires a minimum 3.5 GPA.

Doctoral students at U.S. universities researching 19th–early 21st century Russian/Soviet history can receive up to US $28,000 for dissertation research or completion, including a designated women’s and gender studies fellowship. With a mission to advance regional scholarship, ASEEES provides North Carolina gender studies scholars with substantial support for archival work and writing time.

AAUW branches and state organizations in North Carolina providing hands-on STEM education for girls in grades K–12 can access funding through the American Association of University Women. Grants up to US $10,000 support skill-building, confidence and STEM identity development, college and career preparation, and connecting girls with women STEM mentors.

North Carolina nonprofits and educational institutions running STEM programs for girls in grades K–12 can access funding through the American Association of University Women’s Community Action Grants, offering up to US $50,000. Projects must be U.S.-based, secular, and exclusively serve girls, with priority for historically underrepresented communities and hands-on, confidence-building STEM experiences.

Women and nonbinary adults pursuing higher or vocational education can receive non-tuition support through the Emerge Grant, including those in North Carolina studying at accredited U.S. institutions. Jeannette Rankin Foundation provides U.S. women and nonbinary students with up to US $12,500 total for technical, vocational, associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree programs, based on financial need.

Women and nonbinary adult students in North Carolina and nationwide can apply for Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grants, offering up to US $2,500 in unrestricted, non-tuition support for accredited technical, vocational, associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree programs. Eligible applicants are 35 or older (with some state exceptions), demonstrate financial need, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

North Carolina women and girls seeking support for higher education in business studies can access funding through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, which offers the Bernice M. Brightbill Fund Scholarship. This one-time award of US $500 - US $10,000 supports female high school seniors with financial need pursuing business degrees, and is open regardless of citizenship status.

Young women ages 18–25 in North Carolina engaged in grassroots justice organizing can access leadership development support through Vital Voices Global Partnership’s Grassroots Voices program. With a mission to invest in extraordinary women leaders, Vital Voices provides U.S.-based women addressing issues like mass incarceration, social inequity, pay gaps, and reproductive justice with cohort-based training and networking opportunities.

Postdoctoral women scientists in microbiology at U.S. institutions, including those based in North Carolina, can receive up to US $2,000 to travel for meetings, lab visits, or courses that build research or leadership skills. With a mission to support women in science, American Society for Microbiology provides career development funding and ongoing engagement opportunities.

The Alvin & Kathryn Schmidt Scholarship, managed by the Crown Point Community Foundation, supports adult learners, particularly women aged 21 and older returning to education. This non-renewable scholarship emphasizes the importance of education for residents of Crown Point, IN, and aims to enhance their quality of life by providing essential financial assistance. The scholarship committee evaluates applications based on criteria set by generous community donors, ensuring tailored support for individual needs.

The McMichael Family Scholarship, administered by the Crown Point Community Foundation, supports women over 21 who are residents of Crown Point, IN. This non-renewable scholarship is designed for college students and adult learners, providing financial assistance to help meet various educational needs. The foundation manages over 80 scholarship funds, tailoring support to the specific criteria set by generous donors, thereby enriching the quality of life in South Lake County.

The Gretchen Miller Bowker Scholarship, offered by the Central Indiana Community Foundation, provides financial assistance to women pursuing education in STEM fields. Designed to support tuition, room and board, and related fees, this scholarship aims to empower women in their educational journeys. Eligibility includes demonstrating financial need and enrollment in a qualifying program. With a commitment to building a community of opportunity, this scholarship is a vital resource for aspiring female STEM students.

The BPW/Maine Futurama Foundation offers a $3000 Continuing Education Scholarship to support Maine women pursuing accredited college or training programs. Since 1962, this initiative has empowered women to achieve economic self-sufficiency through educational funding. Eligible applicants must be Maine residents, have completed at least one year of college, and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship is a vital resource for women committed to enhancing their education and career prospects.

The Jeanne L. Hammond Memorial Scholarship, funded by the BPW/Maine Futurama Foundation, supports Maine women pursuing undergraduate degrees or certifications. Established in 1962, it emphasizes financial need and community involvement, with a preference for journalism students and BPW members. This scholarship aims to empower women to achieve economic self-sufficiency and contribute positively to their communities.