Hardship Grants

Hardship and emergency grants provide immediate financial relief during crises — job loss, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and other unexpected setbacks. Government programs, community foundations, and organizations like the Salvation Army and Modest Needs offer grants to help individuals and families stabilize during difficult times.

1,168 grants
Foundation
Updated daily
Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

$500 Grants to Farm Families Impacted by Covid-19 Status: This was a one-time emergency relief program from 2020. The application deadline was July 28, 2020, and grants were awarded by July 31, 2020.…

UNITED WAY OF GRANT COUNTY INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

2026 Community Investment Grants Organization: United Way of Grant County Inc Status: Open - Letter of Interest (LOI) window is currently open as of December 3, 2025 Geographic Scope: Grant County,…

Varies
THE NEW YORK CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN · April 13, 2026 Foundation

2030 Fund Purpose: Provides student loan debt relief for aspiring BIPOC architects pursuing licensure. Geographic Scope: Not specified Eligibility: Aspiring BIPOC architects pursuing licensure…

AV HUNTER TRUST INCORPORATED · Rolling / Open Foundation

A. V. Hunter Trust Grants to Organizations Status: ACTIVE Funder: A V Hunter Trust, Inc Amount: Up to US $20,000 Last Updated: February 25, 2026 Summary The A.V. Hunter Trust provides general…

American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

AAFP Foundation: Physician Assistance Program Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation Amount: Up to US $2,000 Last Updated: November 05, 2025 Summary The AAFP…

Up to $2,000 (Home Catastrophe); Up to $1,000 (Personal Emergency)
TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

AAON Aid Employee Relief Fund Purpose: Designed to provide short-term assistance to employees experiencing severe financial need due to unexpected and unavoidable emergencies. Geographic Scope: For…

THE ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

AAPI Emergency Relief Fund Status: Active Geographic Scope: United States (all states) Focus Areas: Direct support for AAPI survivors or families of AAPI victims impacted by hate-motivated or violent…

Varies; 2017 totaled over $600,000
American Association of Professional Landmen Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation

AAPL Disaster Relief Grants Overview: The AAPL Educational Foundation provides financial support through grants to AAPL members who have suffered financial loss due to natural disasters. Grants are…

ALABAMA POWER FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

ABC Trust Community Grant Programs Status: ACTIVE Funder: Alabama Power Foundation Amount: Up to US $500 Last Updated: December 17, 2025 Summary The ABC Trust Community Grant Program, funded by the…

Up to $1,500 per semester for college or up to $1,500 per year for certification programs
THE COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Academic Support Program Organization: College & Community Fellowship (NY, US) Program Type: Tuition assistance and scholarships Overview A tuition assistance program that provides scholarships to…

ACHIEVE ATLANTA INC · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Achieve Atlanta Emergency Grant Program Status: Active support program for current scholars Geographic Scope: Atlanta, Georgia Eligible Population: Current Achieve Atlanta Scholars enrolled in…

More than $500,000 awarded to date
TWO HUNDRED CLUB OF BERGEN COUNTY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Action Program – Our Fallen Heroes Geographic Scope: Bergen County, NJ Purpose: Provide death benefits and financial support to families of first responders fallen in the line of duty and to severely…

PHOENIXVILLE COMMUNITY EDUCATION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Activities Access Grants Overview: This program is designed to assist PASD (Phoenixville Area School District) students with financial need who want to participate in school-sponsored programs.…

American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

ADA Foundation Charitable Assistance Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation Last Updated: January 22, 2026 Summary The ADA Foundation Charitable Assistance Grants…

JESSICA JUNE CHILDREN'S CANCER · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Advocacy Program Overview: A last resort program which generates financial support from the community to further assist children/families with extreme needs. JJCCF raises funds and awareness by…

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 270 INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

AEF Emergency Assistance Grant - Disaster Relief Overview: An Auxiliary Emergency Fund grant that provides immediate emergency assistance to American Legion Auxiliary members in areas devastated by…

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY DEPT OF MINNES · Rolling / Open Foundation

AEF Hardship Grant Funder: American Legion Auxiliary Department of Minnesota / American Legion Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF) Geographic Scope: Minnesota / National Focus Areas: Financial hardship…

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 270 INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

AEF Temporary Assistance Grant - Financial Hardship Overview: An Auxiliary Emergency Fund grant providing temporary assistance to eligible ALA members during a time of financial crisis to pay for…

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN FOREIGNPOLICY · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Afghan Welcome Fund Overview: Globally provided flexible funding to support the immediate needs of Afghan refugees as they began their lives in the United States. Purpose The Afghan Welcome Fund…

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I get emergency grant funding?
Emergency assistance timelines vary. Government programs like TANF and LIHEAP may take 1-4 weeks. Organizations like the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities can sometimes provide same-week help. Modest Needs processes applications within 2-4 weeks. Employer emergency funds and GoFundMe-style platforms can be faster. Always apply to multiple sources simultaneously.
What types of emergencies qualify for hardship grants?
Common qualifying situations include job loss, medical emergencies, domestic violence, natural disasters, house fires, sudden disability, and death of a family breadwinner. Each program defines eligibility differently. FEMA covers declared disasters, while organizations like Modest Needs help with temporary financial crises that could become permanent without intervention.
Where should I start looking for emergency assistance?
Contact 211 (call or text) for your local area's emergency assistance programs. Your state's Department of Social Services handles TANF and emergency aid. Local community action agencies coordinate multiple assistance programs. Churches, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and St. Vincent de Paul societies offer direct emergency help.

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