Hardship Grants

Last updated October 26, 2026

Grantable tracks 1,192 active hardship grants in its free grants database, drawn from state and 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: State Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
JSF Scholarships for Economically Disadvantaged Students Grant Theodore R and Vivian M · Foundation Not published · Varies The JSF Scholarships aim to empower economically disadvantaged students by providing financial assistance for their education.	Not published	Varies
Emergency and Capacity Building Fund Delta Dental of Virginia · Foundation Rolling · Up to $10K Provides immediate funding to safety-net and/or nonprofit organizations that provide oral health services to vulnerable populations facing unplanned emergencies or capacity challenges.	Rolling	Up to $10K
Emergency Relief Grants Taco Bell Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Stipend Program Children's Well-Being League F/K/a Children's Welfare League · Foundation Not published · $70 – $100 Children's Well-being League works in partnership with school designated liaisons, Guidance Counselors, or school Social Workers to offer monthly stipends to high school students in good academic standing with demonstrated financial need.	Not published	$70 – $100
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Fund Grant Healthwell Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $8K The Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Fund, managed by the HealthWell Foundation, aims to alleviate financial burdens for underinsured patients battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).	Not published	Up to $8K
Dale Jr. Foundation Donations Grant The Dale Jr Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Dale Jr. Foundation, founded by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., has raised over $8 million since 2007 to support various charities focusing on youth and underprivileged communities.	Not published	Varies
PEMV: Emergency Response Fund Grants Marthas Vineyard Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The PEMV Emergency Response Fund Grants, established in March 2020, address urgent needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund supports Island nonprofits that assist vulnerable populations, particularly those affected by the crisis.	Not published	Varies
Prompt Response Grants Arlington Community Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies Arlington Community Foundation's long-standing Prompt Response Fund helps respond quickly to emergencies, disasters, or crises affecting nonprofits and their clients.	Rolling	Varies
Financial Assistance Program Montecito Firefighters · Foundation Not published · Varies Montecito Firefighters' Charitable Foundation	Not published	Varies
Immediate Financial Need Grants Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Slifka Center offers grants to students in financial distress. These funds can be used to facilitate access to abortion for Yale students and their family members.	Rolling	Varies
Support Lubbock Fund Lubbock Economic Development Alliance · Foundation Not published · $20K – $60K	Not published	$20K – $60K
Southern Arts Relief & Recovery Fund The Arts Council Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 In partnership with organizations across the region, South Arts has launched the Southern Arts Relief & Recovery Fund to support artists and organizations impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.	Not published	$500
Itasca Area Cancer Crisis Fund Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provide small crisis grants to families and individuals dealing with cancer in the Greater Itasca Area. Greater Itasca Area (Itasca County, Hill City, Remer, Blackduck, and Northome)	Rolling	Varies
Care and Compassion Fund The Westhaven Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provide financial assistance to meet immediate and essential needs of residents (and others) in the event of an emergency/crisis situation.	Rolling	Varies
Limb-Risk Care Package Limb Preservation Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Part of the Limb Preservation Foundation's Patient Assistance Program.	Not published	Varies
Hardship & Disaster Relief / Hardship Program Marietta Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Foundation provides support through hardship assistance and disaster relief programs to help families and individuals in urgent need. Caring Connection/Vehicle Repair Assistance:	Not published	Varies
The Care Fund Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina Inc · Foundation Not published · $40K Support individuals facing financial hardship due to the 2019 federal government shutdown	Not published	$40K
Clara Abbott Financial Assistance Grants Abbott Fund · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provides need-based grants to help eligible Abbott families struggling to afford basic needs. Program offers short-term financial assistance to overcome financial hardship.	Rolling	Varies
RedRover Relief Urgent Care Grants United Animal Nations DBA Redrover · Foundation Not published · $250 The RedRover Relief Urgent Care Grants provide crucial financial assistance for pet guardians facing economic hardships due to life-threatening situations affecting their pets.	Not published	$250
Attendant Care Program Maryland Department of Disabilities · State Not published · Varies Provides financial reimbursement to individuals with long-term or severe physical disabilities who require attendant services such as in-home assistance with personal care, household chores, and transportation.	Not published	Varies
Community Action Rental Assistance Fund (CARAF) — Phase 3 Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $650 The Community Action Rental Assistance Fund (CARAF) is open in Phase 3. Maximum assistance is $650 per household, available for past-due rent or mortgage only, and the landlord or mortgage holder must agree to accept payment.	Not published	Up to $650
John DeVore Charitable Trust Grant The John R Devore Charitable Trust · Foundation Not published · $450 The John DeVore Charitable Trust Grant aims to provide vital financial support to veterans residing in Miami County, Kansas.	Not published	$450
Recovery Scholarship Archway Institute for Mental Health · Foundation Not published · Varies ARCHway Institute awards scholarships to individuals who want to be in a recovery program but cannot because of financial barriers, or to cover the first month of sober living rent while the individual secures a job.	Not published	Varies
Belvedere Animal Welfare Fund Grant Maine Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $15K The Belvedere Animal Welfare Fund Grant, established in 2007, focuses on advancing animal welfare in Maine through one-year project proposals for organizations addressing population control for cats and dogs.	Not published	Up to $15K

Showing 409–432 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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