Reference Guide for Minorities

If you are an individual from a diverse ethnic background, and are looking for information on grant opportunities, this reference guide will help you in your search. We have selected a few of the most important print and electronic resources for you to begin your search.

Because most private foundations make grants only to incorporated nonprofit organizations, individual grantseekers must follow a different funding path than organizations with tax-exempt status. Some private foundations currently offer support for individual projects; it is up to you to determine which foundations might be interested in your particular subject area or project.

The Foundation Center has identified a range of materials useful to individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds seeking funding. Feel free to refer to them, read introductions, scan indexes, and think of all the subjects and terms by which you can identify your project. A knowledge of support available from appropriate organizations will also be to your benefit. You need to be both creative and flexible in your approach to seeking funding.

Please note that there are additional Reference Guides for Students, which features general scholarship directories and funding guides by subject area, Individuals with Disabilities, and Women.

If you are unfamiliar with the process of grantseeking, you may want to start with the Individual Grantseekers area of the Foundation Center's web site. Information on proposal writing for individual grantseekers can be found in our FAQ "Where can I find information on proposal writing for individual grantseekers?".

Electronic Resources

Foundation Grants to Individuals Online (http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/fundingsources/gtio.html)
The Foundation Center's online database of grantmakers that provide support to individuals. Available at a low monthly subscription rate.

The Black Collegian Online (http://www.black-collegian.com/news)
Offers a listing of information on fellowships, grants, and scholarships of interest to African Americans.

Department of Veteran Affairs (http://www.va.gov)
Web site contains information on a wide range of benefits for veterans, including health benfits, pension programs, and support for education.

Michigan State University Library - Grants for Minorities (http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3specpop.htm)
A comprehensive listing of funding opportunities including web sites, databases, books, and announcments. 

Resources for Small, Minority, Women-Owned Businesses (http://www.proposalwriter.com/small.html)
Offers a wealth of links to resources designed to help the small, minority, and women-owned businesses. The site is created and maintained by Deborah Kluge, an independent consultant.

Print Resources

Edelson, Phyllis, ed. Foundation Grants to Individuals . 16th ed. New York, NY: The Foundation Center. 2007. Profiles foundation programs that make grants to individuals for education, arts and culture, general welfare, and more.

Beckham, Barry, ed. The Black Student's Guide to Scholarships: 700+ Private Money Sources for Black and Minority Students. 5th ed. Lanham, MD: Madison Books. 1999. Lists more than 700 private sources of funding, including programs affiliated with colleges and universities, fraternities and sororities, churches, and foundations. Indexed by state and discipline.

Schaffert, Tim, ed. Pathways to Career Success for Minorities: A Resource Guide to Colleges, Financial Aid, and Work. Chicago, IL: J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company, 2000. Provides general information about securing scholarships for undergraduate study, and lists hundreds of organizations that grant financial aid, loans, or internships.

Schlachter, Gail Ann and R. David Weber. Financial Aid for African Americans, 2006-2008. . El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press, 2006. Provides information on available scholarships, fellowships, loans, grants, awards, and internships.

Schlachter, Gail Ann and R. David Weber. Financial Aid for Asian Americans, 2006-2008. , 2006-2008. El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press, 2006. Provides information on available scholarships, fellowships, loans, grants, awards, and internships

Schlachter, Gail Ann and R. David Weber. Financial Aid for the Disabled and Their Families. El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press. 2006. The authors provide information about more than 1,200 scholarship, fellowship, loan, grant, and award programs designed primarily or exclusively for the disabled or members of their families.

Schlachter, Gail Ann and R. David Weber. Financial Aid for Hispanic Americans, 2006-2008. El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press, 2006.

Schlachter, Gail Ann and R. David Weber. Financial aid for Native Americans, 2006-2008. El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press, 2006. Provides information on available scholarships, fellowships, loans, grants, awards, and internships.

Schlachter, Gail Ann, and R. David Weber. Financial Aid for Veterans, Military Personnel and Their Dependents, 2006-2008. El Dorado Hills, CA: Reference Service Press, 2006. Lists more than 1,000 scholarships, grants-in-aid, loans and other benefit programs for Americans affiliated with the military, from federal, state, and private sources. Indexed by subject, sponsor, geographic area, and filing deadline.

The 2005 Hispanic Scholarship Directory. 7th ed. Washington, DC: National Hispanic Press Foundation. 2005. Scholarship profiles are organized by state.