• Grants lessen the financial burden in college.college campus image by Nick Alexander from Fotolia.com
  
  Celebrated every February, Black History Month commemorates both the struggles and achievements of African-Americans in the U.S. Celebrations are marked using a host if activities, including art shows, concerts, films and public lectures. Public and private organizations in many states use the month to reach out to the economically challenged by offering grants and scholarships as part of their corporate social responsibility. In New York, a number of organizations offer educational and artistic grants in celebration of the month.
  
  

The Verizon Wireless Black History Month Essay Contest

• Headquartered in New York, Verizon Communications Inc. is a provider of broadband, wireless and wireline communication services, and has over the years consistently provided scholarships and grants to nonprofit organizations. In 2009, for example, the company's grant awards were in excess of $67 million. The Verizon Wireless Black History Month Essay Contest is open to undergraduate students in New York and enables students to win up to $5,000 in tuition grants. The 2010 contest required participating students to write an essay on how wireless technology has changed the world. Additional prizes were netbooks and wireless gift cards.
  
  

Little League Grants

• Over the years, the Little League has been used as a training program for African-American youngsters who desire to eventually play professional baseball. Starting from Harlem, New York, in 1999, the Little League Urban Initiative has expanded immensely and by 2007 was operating in more than 200 leagues in the U.S. In New York and the other locations, the Urban Initiative provides cash grants, equipment and training and networking programs aimed at helping the baseball players and their teams. That the initiative has been a success is evidenced by the fact that in less than 10 years, it has provided opportunities for about 33,000 players to play Little League baseball in the U.S.
  
  

The Black History Month Every Month Essay Contest

• This contest is open to African-Americans attending or planning to attend college, university or trade school in any part of the U.S. The sponsors of the competition, Free-4u.com, provide the essay topic on which grant seekers are required to write a 1,000-word essay. The minimum prize is $500, and the contest is open to students in all fields of study.