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
Family Supportive Services (FSS) - Emergency Rental Assistance Economic Opportunity Board of Clark County · Foundation Rolling · Varies FSS provides case management and referral services to stabilize individuals and families in crisis. The emergency rental assistance program helps with immediate housing needs.	Rolling	Varies
Community Impact Funds Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles · Foundation Not published · Varies The Foundation offers curated, straightforward pooled funds designed to support Jewish causes, Los Angeles, and Israel.	Not published	Varies
Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) The American Legion · Foundation Not published · Varies Since 1925, The American Legion's Temporary Financial Assistance program has provided cash grants to support minor children of active duty service members and American Legion members in times of need.	Not published	Varies
A. V. Hunter Trust Grants to Organizations Av Hunter Trust Incorporated · Foundation Not published · Up to $20K The A.V. Hunter Trust provides general operating grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Colorado with budgets under $1 million.	Not published	Up to $20K
FCP Emergency Action Grants Foundations Community Partnership · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The FCP Emergency Action Grants provide financial assistance of up to $10,000 to non-profit organizations in Bucks County, PA, to address unforeseen funding reductions or catastrophic events affecting their service delivery.	Not published	Up to $10K
Otto P. Berdach Trust Grant Berdach Otto P Tuw · Foundation Not published · $5K The Berdach Trust Grant, established by Otto P. Berdach, aims to support organizations providing financial assistance to individuals in need, particularly when public welfare is insufficient.	Not published	$5K
Local 280 Brotherhood Fund International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #280 · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Brotherhood Program exists to help members through difficult times, including illness, loss of income, rehab, or the tragedy of losing a loved one. The program is supported entirely by donations and merchandise sales.	Not published	Up to $5K
KC Water Services Fund Mid America Assistance Coalition · Foundation Rolling · Up to $500 Emergency water utility assistance for low-income households Customers below 180% federal poverty income guidelines can apply for assistance. Funds are processed through local social service agencies or utility assistance events.	Rolling	Up to $500
Pierce County Foreclosure Prevention Mortgage Assistance Program Homesight · Foundation Not published · Up to $8K	Not published	Up to $8K
COVID-19 Response Fund United Way of Deschutes County · Foundation Not published · $30K – $50K Already awarded $50,000 to 11 organizations:	Not published	$30K – $50K
Lend A Hand Society: Book Mission Grant Lend a Hand Society · Foundation Not published · $500 – $2K The Lend A Hand Society offers the Book Mission Grant to assist low-income individuals and families by funding the acquisition of books for educational institutions and libraries.	Not published	$500 – $2K
Unforeseen Needs Grant (Bald & Esary Trusts) Blue Mountain Community Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Clara & Art Bald & Mary Garner Esary Trusts Unforeseen Needs Grant Program provides financial assistance to nonprofits facing unforeseen crises that threaten operations/service delivery; accepted year-round (rolling).	Rolling	Varies
Rapid Response Grants Women's Foundation of Mississippi · Foundation Rolling · $3K – $5K Emergency funding for organizations directly serving vulnerable women and families during times of crisis (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic)	Rolling	$3K – $5K
Agnes Laitinen Unmet Needs Crisis Fund Area Agency on Aging · Foundation Not published · Varies This fund is specifically designed to assist vulnerable populations during disaster recovery and crisis situations when no other resources are available.	Not published	Varies
Assistance League Scholarship Assistance League of St Louis · Foundation Not published · $750M This scholarship program provides funds for individuals who have experienced personal life transitions and wish to improve their situations by obtaining post-secondary education.	Not published	$750M
Women's Philanthropy Fund Amarillo Area Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Women's Philanthropy Fund awards grants to nonprofit organizations serving women and girls in the Panhandle region.	Not published	Varies
Karen E. Jackson Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP) Sisters Network Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $350 BCAP is a financial assistance and mammogram program providing support to breast cancer survivors in active treatment and uninsured women seeking mammography screening. Open up to 3 times per year contingent on funding Sisters Network® Inc.	Not published	Up to $350
The Two Four Club Ryan Callahan Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies A program to provide financial assistance and respite to families battling pediatric cancer who inspire the foundation with their resilience, hope, and determination.	Not published	Varies
AIOF Patient Support Fund Aurora Integrated Oncology Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Up to $2K The AIOF Patient Support Fund provides financial support up to $2,000 per patient per year to Alaska cancer patients undergoing treatment for access-to-care barriers -- transportation, lodging, basic necessities, some medical expenses…	Rolling	Up to $2K
GCF: Helping Hands Grants Golden Civic Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies _NOTE: Applications will be accepted throughout the year and are available based on remaining funding.	Not published	Varies
Patient Assistance Fund Jayden DeLuca Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Patient Assistance Fund is dedicated to supporting families with financial support due to complications related to congenital heart disease (CHD).	Not published	Up to $2K
UWRI: Emergency Funding United Way of Rhode Island Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Emergency Funding to Support Rhode Island Nonprofits Responding to Critical Community Needs As federal uncertainty grows and puts vital services at risk, United Way of Rhode Island is taking swift, decisive action to protect our…	Not published	Varies
COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K Emergency grant program opened March 22, 2020 to immediately support Monroe County nonprofits with streamlined 24-hour evaluation process. Funded through repurposed unused dollars from past grantees and nonprofit fund holders.	Not published	Up to $3K
Roger B. Grant The Parachute Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Roger B. Grant Program provides financial support to men and women in recovery to help them "land softly" during their recovery journey.	Not published	Varies

Showing 529–552 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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