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
TEDY'S TEAM INC · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Comeback Assistance Program Organization: Tedy's Team Inc (MA, US) Purpose: Assist and support stroke and heart disease survivors and caregivers on their personal comeback journeys by providing…

COMMUNITY ACTION ORGANIZATION OF · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Community Action Rental Assistance Fund (CARAF) Status: Phase 3 - Open (funds exhausted; applications accepted and placed on waitlist) Geographic Scope: Western New York / Erie County Focus Areas:…

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF TYLER INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Community Assistance Fund Funder: The Junior League of Tyler Inc. Geographic Scope: Smith County, Texas Program Purpose: The Junior League of Tyler is proud to support nonprofit organizations and…

Team Telomere Inc · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Community Assistance Program Overview: Provides support for patient and family travel and lodging costs for participation in clinical trials. Eligibility: - Patients and families affected by Telomere…

THE GIVE TO GIVE FOUNDATION · June 23, 2026 · Annual Foundation

Community Awards Program Overview: The Give to Give Foundation offers financial assistance to individuals facing financial hardship, enabling them to attend live events with Dr Joe Dispenza and learn…

PARK CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Community Belonging Fund Overview: The Community Belonging Fund was launched on January 24, 2025 and provides direct financial support to organizations that deliver critical services to community…

JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Community Emergency Fund - Reopening Grants Overview: Established in March 2020 and seeded with $75,000 in Federation reserves, the Community Emergency Fund is a proactive and ongoing response to the…

Varies by grant; recent awards range from $1,300 to $50,000
WHITLEY COUNTY COMMUNITY · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Community Foundation Grants Overview: The Community Foundation of Whitley County awards grants to deserving nonprofits and community organizations throughout the year to enhance quality of life in…

RUST FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Community Grants Program - Hardship Grants Status: Active, available year-round Overview: Financial awards made to active maintainers of the Rust Project facing financial hardship. Award Amount $500…

FAMILIES FOR JUSTICE AS HEALING INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Community Healing & Emergency Stipend Fund Organization: Families for Justice as Healing Inc Geographic Scope: Massachusetts (Roxbury, MA based) Focus Areas: - Self-care and wellness support -…

BETHEL COMMUNITY SERVICES · Rolling / Open Foundation

Community Health Aide Emergency Fund Grant Organization: Bethel Community Services Foundation (BCSF) Geographic Scope: Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region and surrounding areas Purpose: Emergency fund to…

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Community Impact Funds Overview: The Foundation offers curated, straightforward pooled funds designed to support Jewish causes, Los Angeles, and Israel. Like a diversified mutual fund, donors can…

UNITED WAY OF HARRISONBURG AND · Rolling / Open · Biennial Foundation

Community Impact Grants Funder: United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County Status: Application process is currently CLOSED. United Way will not be accepting grant applications in 2025. Funding…

UNITED WAY OF GREATER WATERBURYINC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Community Need Fund Funder: United Way of Greater Waterbury, Inc. Geographic Scope: Ten-town service area including Bethlehem, Cheshire, Middlebury, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury,…

WNC BRIDGE FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Community Outreach Grants Status: Active, flexible grant program Geographic Scope: Western North Carolina Overview: Emergency and crisis-focused grants designed to address urgent emerging needs in…

CHAFFEE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Community Pet Fund Partner: Ark-Valley Humane Society Focus: Two funding opportunities for: - Pet emergencies - Unsheltered community members seeking care for Chaffee County pets Status: Applications…

Up to $50,000 for commercial/multifamily; Up to $10,000 for residential
COMMUNITY OFFICE FOR RESOURCE EFFICIENCY · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Community Priority Participants Enhanced Funding Funder: Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) Status: Active, part of ongoing rebate and grant programs Geographic Scope: Pitkin County,…

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.

Ready to apply for these grants?

  • Assess your eligibility for this grant
  • Draft a tailored application narrative
  • Track the deadline and get reminders
  • Find similar grants from other funders