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
Emergency Readiness Fund United Way of the Wine Country · Foundation Not published · Varies An integral part of United Way of the Wine Country's mission to help families and individuals improve financial stability.	Not published	Varies
Virginia 30 Day Fund The 30 Day Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K A nonprofit organization providing forgivable loans to small businesses in Virginia affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.	Not published	Up to $3K
HSMAI Foundation Covid Relief Grant (Europe) Foundation of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International · Foundation Not published · Varies To provide HSMAI membership and educational grants for HSMAI programs to members and expired members in need due to challenging circumstances related to the global pandemic.	Not published	Varies
Josephine Goodyear Foundation Grants Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Josephine Goodyear Foundation, established in 1912, provides approximately 50 grants annually totaling around $300,000 to support non-profit agencies assisting indigent women and children, primarily in the Greater Buffalo area.	Not published	Varies
Berrada Tenants Program - Short-Term Rent Assistance The Milwaukee Women's Center Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provides short-term rent assistance to Berrada Properties tenants who have experienced financial hardship or loss of income and are at risk of eviction due to unpaid rent.	Rolling	Varies
Fellowship Fund Collington Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Support residents who, through no fault of their own, have outlived their resources.	Not published	Varies
Begin Again Foundation Fund (Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters Support) Begin Again Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Formerly known as Butterfly Blessings, this program helps families of children admitted to the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (CHKD) who demonstrate severe hardship.	Not published	Varies
Crime Victim Reparations Program (CVR) Crime Commission Grants · State Not published · Varies Funded through the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), state general fund appropriations and cash funds. Provides compensation to innocent victims of a crime for certain expenses related to the criminal act.	Not published	Varies
BRPF Charitable Grants Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies BRPF Charitable Grants help individuals with a spinal cord injury/related disorder live more independently by funding specific items (wheelchair upgrades/maintenance, vehicle modifications, ramps/lifts, adaptive equipment); applicants must…	Not published	Varies
NPN COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund National Performance Network Inc · Foundation Not published · $2K – $50K Director of Local Programs: Stephanie Atkins	Not published	$2K – $50K
Emma Harper Turner (EHT) Fund - Alumna Grants Pi Beta Phi Fraternity · Foundation Rolling · Varies Awards granted to help members through financial crisis created by job loss, illness, natural disaster or other unexpected life circumstances.	Rolling	Varies
Healing Hand Foundation Grant Healing Hand Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies General grant funding provided by the Healing Hand Foundation to connect Alaska Native people of Southeast with medical assistance or equipment they may need during a time of hardship.	Not published	Varies
Florida Kiwanis Foundation: Emergency Grants Florida Kiwanis Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K Emergency Grants applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Funds will be issued on a first come first served basis until any budgeted amount has been exhausted.	Not published	Up to $2K
K2 Gus Mendez Valor Initiative Individual Award K2 Adventures Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The K2 Gus Mendez Valor Initiative Individual Award is designed to support past and present military personnel and their families with special needs and/or life-changing medical and financial circumstances through services, support and…	Not published	Varies
Play It Forward City of Oaks Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Financial assistance program that helps local residents participate in Raleigh's exercise, recreation, and sports programs by removing financial barriers.	Not published	Varies
Veterans Assistance Program Operation Support Our Troops - · Foundation Rolling · Varies A 'last chance' assistance program for veterans experiencing hardship, founded in the spirit of Veterans Helping Veterans. Veterans can apply for assistance in ONE of the following areas:	Rolling	Varies
Emergency Aid Mother's Grace · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
Energy Assistance Program (EAP) Mahube-Otwa Community Action Partnership Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 – $1K	Not published	$500 – $1K
MRAC Emergency Relief Grant Metropolitan Regional Arts Council · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 The MRAC Emergency Relief Grant offers $500 to artists in the Twin Cities metro area facing unexpected financial hardships due to personal emergencies or natural disasters.	Not published	Up to $500
Kids’ Chance of South Carolina Scholarship Grant Kids’ Chance of South Carolina, Inc. · Foundation Not published · Varies The Kids’ Chance of South Carolina Scholarship provides financial assistance to children of South Carolina workers who have been killed or seriously injured in work-related incidents.	Not published	Varies
Student and Staff Emergency Fund Umkc Dental Alumni Association Univ of Mo-KC School of Dentistry · Foundation Rolling · Varies Established by the Dr. Roy J. Rinehart Memorial Foundation, the Dental Alumni Association, and the Dental Hygiene Association to provide emergency assistance to students and staff.	Rolling	Varies
Native Forward Student Relief Funding Grant Native Forward Scholars Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.	Not published	Varies
Emergency Fertility Preservation Grants Worth the Wait · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
Cruising to a Better Future Scholarship Grant The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is an independent, public charity established in September 1996 by a steering committee of local civic leaders to gather permanent funds to support our area.	Not published	Varies

Showing 625–648 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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