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
Hogs for the Cause Family Grants for Pediatric Brain Cancer Hogs for the Cause Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provides direct financial grants to families whose children are battling pediatric brain cancer to help fill the gap between what families can afford and what insurance provides.	Rolling	Varies
SPC Cares Foundation's Member Hardship Fund Grant The SPC Cares Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The SPC Cares Foundation was established in 2024 as a way for SPC Credit Union to strategically support four key development issues identified within our community: Hunger, Housing, Employment, & Education.	Not published	Up to $2K
We Are Friends 2.0 Basic Essentials Emergency Relief Program The Henry Kapono Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 Emergency relief program providing monthly grocery cards to music industry professionals facing financial hardship.	Not published	$500
Chordoma Foundation Clinical Trial Assistance Program (CTAP) Chordoma Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Chordoma Foundation's Clinical Trial Assistance Program (CTAP) reduces financial barriers to clinical-trial participation for chordoma patients by reimbursing travel-related costs associated with participation in eligible clinical…	Rolling	Varies
Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund ACM Lifting Lives · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provides emergency relief and financial assistance to individuals in the music community facing unexpected hardships and financial crises.	Rolling	Varies
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies LIHEAP provides assistance with home energy costs for eligible low-income households. The program offers both Regular Assistance and Crisis Assistance.	Not published	Varies
Green Lake Basic Needs Grant Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Corporation · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Green Lake Basic Needs Grant, funded by the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, aims to support vulnerable residents by providing essential resources and promoting stability.	Not published	Up to $5K
Off-Cycle Funding Requests (Community Foundation of Tompkins County) Community Foundation of Tompkins County Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Off-cycle grants are submitted outside the regular grant application cycles due to urgent or unforeseen needs; eligibility requires urgency (an immediate, unforeseen need that cannot wait until the next regular cycle), alignment with the…	Rolling	Varies
Emergency Assistance Fund Share the Dough · Foundation Rolling · Up to $2K Share the Dough is a nonprofit designed to support Manna Development Group employees facing catastrophic emergencies.	Rolling	Up to $2K
Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief (GOPAR) Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief (GOPAR) provides essential emergency financial assistance to performing arts and entertainment professionals in critical need.	Not published	Varies
CFT Social Services Grant Communities Foundation of Texas Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies At CFT, we believe that a thriving community is one in which all people feel cared for, invested in, nourished and valued, and have an equitable opportunity to contribute to the well-being and growth of themselves, their families and their…	Not published	Varies
COVID-19 Relief Fund Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation · Foundation Not published · $100K – $250K Emergency funds used to provide essential services including:	Not published	$100K – $250K
ABC Trust Community Grant Programs Alabama Power Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 The ABC Trust Community Grant Program, funded by the Alabama Power Foundation, provides up to $500 annually to 501c(3) nonprofits and faith-based organizations.	Not published	Up to $500
Emergency Furnace Repair Grow South Dakota · Foundation Rolling · Varies Assistance for furnace repair or replacement for eligible homeowners.	Rolling	Varies
Employee Emergency Relief Fund LCS Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provides financial support to LCS employees who experience unexpected hardship.	Rolling	Varies
Genesee County Household Expense Grant Metro Community DevelopmentInc · Foundation Not published · Varies Financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utility expenses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.	Not published	Varies
Just Heart Foundation Family Assistance Grant Just Heart Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provides financial assistance to families experiencing hardship due to a child's hospitalization. Applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria:	Rolling	Varies
DaisyCares Veterinary Care Program The Daisy Fund · Foundation Rolling · Varies A grant program designed to help needy pet owners with the cost of veterinary care for their pets through direct grants to qualifying pet owners.	Rolling	Varies
American College of Bankruptcy Foundation - Pro Bono Grant American College of Bankruptcy Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $20K The American College of Bankruptcy Foundation offers a Pro Bono Grant aimed at supporting legal services organizations that align with its mission.	Not published	Up to $20K
Resident Emergency Application Coral Springs Community Chest Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provides emergency financial assistance to Coral Springs residents in crisis	Rolling	Varies
Begin Again Foundation Amputee Fund Begin Again Foundation · Foundation Rolling · $1K For individuals whose lives have been forever changed by sepsis, recovery can include life-altering challenges—including the loss of a limb.	Rolling	$1K
Lexington Emergency Fund Lutheran Family Services Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $500	Not published	$500
Dental Treatment Fund Grant Berks County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $900 The Dental Treatment Fund Grant, offered by the Berks County Community Foundation, provides financial assistance for dental care to residents of Berks or Schuylkill County who cannot afford treatment.	Not published	Up to $900
Guaranteed Income 3.0 United Way California Capital Region · Foundation Not published · $500 Sacramento County Supervisors awarded additional funding from American Rescue Plan dollars to expand the guaranteed income program.	Not published	$500

Showing 577–600 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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