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
A.V. Hunter Trust Grants to Assist Individuals (Medical Equipment & Dental) Av Hunter Trust Incorporated · Foundation Rolling · Varies Funds durable medical equipment (hearing aids, wheelchairs, prostheses, oxygen concentrators, home/vehicle modifications, etc.) and four dental procedures (fillings, extractions, partial/full dentures) for low-income Colorado legal…	Rolling	Varies
HAF: Holiday Funding Partnership Grant Humboldt Area Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 – $2K The HAF: Holiday Funding Partnership Grant, supported by the Humboldt Area Foundation, provides essential funding for charitable organizations offering winter holiday assistance in Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, and Curry counties.	Not published	$500 – $2K
Charity or Community Support Grant Novo Nordisk USA · Foundation Not published · Varies Novo Nordisk USA offers financial support for initiatives that benefit patients and communities, focusing on charity or community support.	Not published	Varies
Medical- Rob Schorling Fund Grant Greater Salina Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Rob Schorling Fund, managed by the Greater Salina Community Foundation, offers financial support for individuals and families facing expenses related to leukemia and lymphoma treatments.	Not published	Up to $2K
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) The Agricultural and Labor Program Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Assists eligible households with home heating and cooling costs. Part of a broader assistance application that also includes emergency energy assistance and other support services.	Not published	Varies
Pearl Dimick Fund The Lyme Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Provides emergency financial assistance to Lyme residents, including: The Pearl Dimick Committee advises the Lyme Foundation with management of this fund. Contact committee chair Tara McGovern with inquiries regarding the Pearl Dimick Fund.	Not published	Varies
PACF: Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) Grants Parkersburg Area Community Foundation Inc (Previously Pacf Inc) · Foundation Not published · Up to $4K The PACF: Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) Grants provide up to $4,000 to support organizations facing unforeseen emergencies or opportunities requiring immediate funding.	Not published	Up to $4K
Love Remains Scholarship Grant Community Foundation of West Texas · Foundation Not published · Varies The Love Remains Scholarship, founded by Shelie Bravo-Williams through the Community Foundation of West Texas, provides financial support to Texas students who have lost a parent or spouse.	Not published	Varies
Illinois Home Equity Assurance Program (ILHAF/Northwest Home Equity Assurance Program) Northwest Side Housing Center · Foundation Not published · Up to $30K Loan program for homeowners on Chicago's Northwest Side. Program provides emergency financial assistance.	Not published	Up to $30K
The Plate Fund - Restaurant Worker Help Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle · Foundation Not published · $500 Emergency financial assistance program providing one-time $500 grants to restaurant and food service workers impacted by COVID-19 in King County, Washington.	Not published	$500
Bringing Back Businesses Basalt Fund Aspen Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $96K COVID-19 relief fund providing restaurant and small business support in the Town of Basalt. Funded by local donors to help businesses mitigate economic downturn and increased operational burden due to public health guidelines.	Not published	$96K
Direct Services Grant Program John T Gorman Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to US $30,000 The Direct Services Grant Program, initiated by the John T. Gorman Foundation, aims to support organizations addressing the basic needs of vulnerable Maine residents, including hunger, housing, and crisis support.	Not published	Up to US $30,000
Smoky Valley Cares Fund – Beyond the Diagnosis Lindsborg Community Hospital Association · Foundation Not published · $500 – $3K Provides financial assistance for those with cancer who may be in financial need during cancer treatment. Financial and diagnostic details are shared only with essential hospital staff who process applications.	Not published	$500 – $3K
United We Grow™ Manley Scholarship United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The United We Grow™ Manley Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to women who are working toward a better future through education.	Not published	Up to $3K
Becky Love Foundation Grant Becky Love Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Becky Love Foundation (Great Falls VA) provides grants offering financial support for therapy and educational needs to individuals coping with a sudden loss.	Rolling	Varies
Shelter Heat Program Citizens Energy Corporation · Foundation Not published · Varies Citizens Energy charitable program providing heating assistance and energy support.	Not published	Varies
Grant-in-Aid Educational Foundation of Orange County Community College Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The SUNY Orange Foundation offers Grant-in-Aid Financial Assistance to students who need help with tuition, books, or child care costs, are ineligible for Federal or State Aid, and have demonstrated financial need.	Not published	Up to $1K
Emergency Aid and Relief Program (EARP) The Episcopal Actors' Guild · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Episcopal Actors' Guild's primary assistance program providing emergency financial aid to professional performing artists experiencing financial crisis. Applicants must demonstrate economic need due to extenuating circumstances such as:	Rolling	Varies
Conference Scholarship National Scleroderma Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Scholarships are available for individuals living with scleroderma who need financial assistance to attend the National Scleroderma Conference and related educational events.	Not published	Varies
Boston Dance Alliance Dance Relief Fund Boston Dance Alliance Inc · Foundation Not published · $250	Not published	$250
VC Puma Emergency Relief Fund Valencia College Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Emergency relief fund for Valencia College students facing financial hardship.	Not published	Varies
Kids In Need Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation provides financial assistance to Elkhorn families in need.	Not published	Varies
Recovery Voucher Program United Way of Wayne County Inc · Foundation Rolling · $150 – $475 Assist individuals and families in recovery/transition from natural disasters or personal crises by providing vouchers for use at participating thrift stores	Rolling	$150 – $475
AAON Aid Employee Relief Fund Tulsa Community Foundation · Foundation Rolling · $1K – $2K Designed to provide short-term assistance to employees experiencing severe financial need due to unexpected and unavoidable emergencies. Home Catastrophe/Natural Disaster – Up to $2,000	Rolling	$1K – $2K

Showing 553–576 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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