Hardship Grants

Last updated October 26, 2026

Grantable tracks 1,192 active hardship grants in its free grants database, drawn from foundation sources and updated daily. 41 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 467 list an award amount, with a median of $2,500.

Grants tracked: 1,192; from 900 funders
Median award: $2,500; middle half $1,000–$10K
Total listed funding: $27.8M; across 467 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 286; 24 with a published date

On this page: Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
HA CONNECT Conference Financial Aid Package Hydrocephalus Association · Foundation Not published · Varies Financial aid packages are offered to individuals who wish to attend HA CONNECT (the Hydrocephalus Association's biennial national conference) but cannot afford partial or full cost of attendance.	Not published	Varies
NJCC: Garden State Relief Fund Community Loan Fund of New Jersey Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: NJCC will aim to process Garden State Relief Fund applications within 10-21 business days._ Relief and Recovery for Small Businesses & Nonprofits The Garden State Relief Fund is meeting the long-term needs of small businesses and…	Not published	Varies
The Heart of Jtown Resiliency Fund Japantown Community Benefit District Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K	Not published	Up to $5K
Mother Teresa Endowment Fund Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan's Mother Teresa Endowment Fund provides assistance to individuals or couples experiencing limited financial resources while awaiting the birth of their child and/or during the initial…	Rolling	Varies
Hope for the Journey Foundation for Cancer Treatment Support Grant Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The Hope for the Journey Foundation for Cancer Treatment Support, backed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers vital non-medical financial assistance to cancer patients and their families.	Not published	Up to $1K
Dorcas Chaffee Fund The Lyme Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Provides emergency financial assistance to: The Pearl Dimick Committee advises the Lyme Foundation with management of this fund. Contact committee chair Tara McGovern with inquiries regarding the Dorcas Chaffee Fund.	Not published	Varies
SAMFund Financial Assistance Grant Expect Miracles Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Email: info@expectmiraclesfoundation.org	Not published	Varies
Winter Utilities Fund The Okra Project · Foundation Not published · Varies During winter, The Okra Project offers utility relief to those in need. The program aims to help individuals afford warmth and comfort by alleviating escalating utility bills, allowing them to focus on their well-being.	Not published	Varies
SIS Grants Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Aid members experiencing hardship and financial need.	Not published	Varies
Blugold Emergency Support Fund University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · $25K Provides immediate financial support to UW-Eau Claire students, faculty, and staff in crisis or with urgent financial needs.	Rolling	$25K
National Emergency Fund The American Legion · Foundation Not published · Varies Created in response to Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the National Emergency Fund provides direct financial assistance to American Legion Family members and posts. The fund has distributed more than $10 million in assistance to those in need.	Not published	Varies
Mental Health Assistance Grant Asian Mental Health Project · Foundation Not published · Varies To make mental healthcare and wellness services more accessible and reduce financial barriers when seeking mental healthcare.	Not published	Varies
Don't Despair Car Repair United Way of Tri Vally Area · Foundation Not published · Varies Provide car repair assistance to eligible individuals and families	Not published	Varies
Academic Support Program The College and Community Fellowship Inc · Foundation Not published · $2K A tuition assistance program that provides scholarships to support women with criminal justice involvement in pursuing higher education and career certifications.	Not published	$2K
One Hope Fund Sigma Delta Tau Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies The One Hope Fund is an impact program developed by the Sigma Delta Tau Foundation to serve all sisters during every phase of their lives, providing grants for those facing unforeseeable circumstances.	Rolling	Varies
High Needs Fund Front Range Community College Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Up to $500 The High Needs Fund allows the Foundation to give dollars directly to students experiencing financial hardship to ensure their basic needs are met.	Rolling	Up to $500
William F. Thiel Grants Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The William F. Thiel Grants, established by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, honor the legacy of philanthropist William F. Thiel, focusing on healthcare needs in Wyoming County.	Not published	Varies
Cash for Reentry 4-CT Corp · Foundation Not published · $50 – $500 Guaranteed income pilot providing recurring, unconditional, no-strings-attached cash assistance ($500/month for 12 months) to formerly incarcerated individuals.	Not published	$50 – $500
Christopher Emmet Hallowell Fund Grant Adirondack Foundation · Foundation Not published · $2K – $4K The Christopher Emmet Hallowell Fund Grant provides essential financial support to families caring for severely ill children and young adults in the Adirondack region of New York.	Not published	$2K – $4K
MicroLoan Program Society of St Vincent De Paul Council of Northern Kentucky · Foundation Rolling · Varies No specific eligibility criteria listed on website.	Rolling	Varies
Patient Assistance Fund Passavant Hospital Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Patient Assistance Fund helps those with expenses associated with medications, equipment, groceries and other resources.	Not published	Varies
Gerstner Fund Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K Emergency aid program for applicants facing eviction or housing instability.	Not published	Up to $3K
Unmanageable Giving Circle: Mutual Aid Fund Unmanageable · Foundation Not published · $5K	Not published	$5K
Simcha Fund - Wedding TOV Vchesed Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $8K Tov V'Chesed's Simcha Fund provides financial assistance to orphaned brides to ensure they can celebrate their wedding day with dignity and joy.	Not published	$8K

Showing 265–288 of 1,188

About 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do hardship grants award?

Of the 1,192 hardship grants Grantable lists as of October 26, 2026, 467 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $2,500, and the middle half fall between $1,000 and $10K. The largest is $4.5M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most hardship grants?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are Healthwell Foundation (17), Entertainment Community Fund (13), Community in Action (8), Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Inc (7), and Begin Again Foundation (6). In all, 900 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are hardship grants due?

Of 1,192 grants listed, 286 accept applications on a rolling basis, 24 have a published upcoming deadline, 323 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 559 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site. Among dated deadlines, 63% fall in October–December.

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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