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
STOUGHTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Stoughton Area Community Foundation Emergency Assistance Funder: Stoughton Area Community Foundation Inc (SACF) Geographic Scope: Stoughton, Wisconsin area Status: Active program Program Overview The…

DELTA DELTA DELTA FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Assistance Organization: Tri Delta Foundation Purpose: Provide financial assistance to Tri Delta members facing emergency situations and devastating circumstances. Geographic Scope: Members…

Illinois Spina Bifida Association · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Assistance Fund Geographic Scope: Illinois residents only Purpose: Provides emergency financial assistance to Illinois residents with spina bifida facing unexpected financial hardship…

University Technology Development Corporation · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Emergency Assistance Fund Funder: University of Nebraska System Purpose: To help currently enrolled students and current university employees (faculty and staff) who face financial hardship resulting…

SHARE THE DOUGH · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Emergency Assistance Fund Funder: Share the Dough (a 501(c)3 nonprofit, EIN: 81-1608170) Geographic Scope: United States (California-based, serves Manna Development Group employees) Status: Active…

VIRGINIA ALLIANCE OF YMCAS · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) Overview: For nearly a century the Emergency Assistance Fund has provided financial aid when an accident, illness, death of a loved one, disaster or other crisis…

Entertainment Community Fund · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Assistance Funds Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Entertainment Community Fund Last Updated: February 08, 2026 Summary The Emergency Assistance Funds, provided by the Entertainment Community…

GROW SOUTH DAKOTA · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Emergency Assistance Program Overview: GROW SD's Emergency Assistance Program is for individuals and families to help with past-due rent, utilities, and other minor expenses. Program Details -…

Monterey Peninsula College Foundation · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Emergency Assistance Program Program Type: Emergency financial assistance grants Geographic Scope: Monterey Peninsula College service area Overview: The Emergency Assistance Program provides timely…

St Raymond's Society · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Emergency Assistance Program Funder: St. Raymond's Society Website: srshelp.org Geographic Scope: Missouri Program Overview Recognizing that otherwise independent mothers sometimes face emergency…

SERENITY FAIR WAY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Emergency Assistance Program Overview: The SFWF Emergency Assistance program provides partial or entire payments to assist individuals who are employed but have difficulty with employment for a…

Worth the Wait · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Emergency Fertility Preservation Grants Focus: Financial support for adolescent and young adult cancer patients seeking to preserve fertility before undergoing cancer treatment. Geographic Scope:…

$500 minimum per award; $88,152 total available (historical)
UNITED WAY OF MATANUSKA-SUSITNA · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food & Shelter Program Funder: United Way of Matanuska-Susitna (UWMS) Geographic Scope: Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska only Status: Historical program (last documented award cycle:…

Varies by phase; recent awards include $338,090 (Phase 41), $345,687 (Phase 39), $361,728 (Phase 38)
UNITED WAY OF WILL COUNTY · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) Funder: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) / Department of Homeland Security (DHS) via National Emergency Food & Shelter Board Administrator: United…

UNITED WAY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) Grant Funder: United Way of Cumberland County (UWCC) - administers on behalf of federal government Program Type: Federal program administered by the U.S.…

UNITED WAY OF COWLITZ COUNTY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program Funder: United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties Geographic Scope: Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties, WA Focus Area: Emergency assistance with food and shelter needs…

UNITED WAY OF SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Overview: The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is a federal grant created to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies to help…

Varies by year (e.g., $28,426 in 2019; $66,355 in 2020)
UNITED WAY OF 1000 LAKES · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Funder: United Way of 1000 Lakes (administers locally for Itasca County) Program Type: Federal emergency relief funding administered through the Department…

UNITED WAY OF TULARE COUNTY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Background: The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both…

One month of rent, mortgage, or utility assistance
COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Status: Currently active Geographic Scope: Sonoma County, California Program Overview: The EFSP provides Sonoma County residents with one month of assistance…

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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