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
Marshall County Disabled Children and Adults Fund Grant Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The Marshall County Disabled Children and Adults Fund, established by the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley in 2013, supports individuals with disabilities in Marshall County.	Not published	Up to $1K
Savannah Community Foundation Immediate Needs Grants The Savannah Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Savannah Community Foundation Immediate Needs Grants support vital emergency and unanticipated expenses for local organizations, with grants typically not exceeding $5,000.	Not published	Up to $5K
Camp Scholarships Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Camp scholarships are available for campers from Baltimore Yearly Meeting. The aid is dispersed on the basis of declared need.	Not published	Varies
Utility Service Protection Maryland Public Service Commission · State Not published · Varies Offer protection to low-income households against termination of gas and/or electric service. Program participants are put on an even-monthly payment plan and arrearages are payable under a long-term special agreement.	Not published	Varies
Kids' Chance Scholarship Alabama Law Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Scholarships helping the children of workers permanently and totally disabled, or killed, by an on-the-job injury attend college or technical school. Applicant must be an Alabama resident.	Not published	Varies
TMCF \| JPMorgan Chase Hardship Scholarship Grant Thurgood Marshall College Fund · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The TMCF \| JPMorgan Chase Hardship Scholarship provides financial support to exemplary students from TMCF member schools, which include 57 historically Black colleges and universities.	Not published	Up to $3K
MCF Snowbird Fund Grant Montana Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The MCF Snowbird Fund, managed by the Montana Community Foundation, provides vital support to Native families in Montana searching for missing loved ones.	Not published	Up to $1K
Bradshaw Benevolence Grant Suffolk Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A benevolence-focused grant program offered by the Suffolk Foundation for charitable purposes in the community.	Not published	Varies
Rapid Response Fund Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands Inc · Foundation Rolling · Up to $750 CFVI provides grants to families faced with unexpected financial emergencies. These grants are intended to assist with one-time emergencies.	Rolling	Up to $750
Special and Urgent Needs Fund Adirondack Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Well-Being Fund Providence Student Union · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Well-Being Fund is designed to help connect students with emergency funds to address their urgent needs.	Rolling	Varies
Emergency Fund United Way of Central Illinois Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies United Way of Central Illinois' Emergency Fund provides additional funding to local nonprofit agencies during times of crisis.	Not published	Varies
Emergency Food and Shelter Program United Way of Cowlitz County · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Worker Relief Fund Federation of Employers and Workers of America · Foundation Rolling · Up to $2K Provide financial assistance and emergency aid to families of worker-members who face tragedy or emergency situations while in the United States performing temporary labor through H-2A and H-2B programs.	Rolling	Up to $2K
Patient Relief Fund Montefiore Nyack Hospital Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Patient Relief Fund helps ensure that all patients and their families at Montefiore Nyack Hospital have access to the comfort and necessities they need in order to heal.	Rolling	Varies
Autism Strong N.E.E.D. Funding Grant Autism Strong Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies The N.E.E.D. grant provides immediate financial support for families on the autism journey -- newly diagnosed/starting therapy, expert autism diagnosis, education advocacy services, and debt relief for past-due therapy balances; applicant…	Rolling	Varies
AFM Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency Relief Fund Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The AFM Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unexpected critical needs.	Not published	Varies
Home Heating Assistance Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan · Foundation Not published · Varies Assist with past due utilities and heating costs.	Not published	Varies
Rx Kids (Prenatal and Infant Cash Prescription Program) Superior Health Foundation · Foundation Rolling · $500 – $2K Program expanded U.P.-wide March 1, 2026 (previously eastern U.P. only) Direct cash assistance program providing financial support to pregnant individuals and families with newborns to address maternal health and infant welfare.	Rolling	$500 – $2K
Assistance Request Application Hope for Autumn Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies Hope for Autumn Foundation provides financial assistance to families battling childhood cancer who are being treated at Children's Hospital of Alabama. Requests for assistance are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.	Rolling	Varies
FCA Emergency Grants Foundation for Contemporary Arts Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 – $3K The FCA Emergency Grants provide urgent funding for visual and performing artists facing unexpected opportunities or expenses.	Not published	$500 – $3K
C12 Scholarship Fund Givesendgo Charities · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Zachary Culnan Memorial Family Fund - Activity Scholarship Captain Community Human Services Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 Provides financial support for low-income, disadvantaged, and under-resourced youth to participate in life-enhancing programs and activities.	Not published	Up to $500
Cystic Fibrosis Fund of Berks County Grant Berks County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Cystic Fibrosis Fund of Berks County, administered by the Berks County Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to Berks County residents diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.	Not published	Varies

Showing 433–456 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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