Hardship Grants

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

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
Individual Grant Program United Breast Cancer Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
ArtsWA CARES Act Relief Grants Multi-Ethnic Business Association · Foundation Not published · Varies Rapid-response funding provided to non-profit and fiscally sponsored arts groups and organizations facing financial hardship due to economic impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.	Not published	Varies
Patient Assistance Fund Baptist Health Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Baptist Health Foundation recognizes a gap between what vulnerable patients need and what they can afford to regain their health.	Not published	Varies
Year-End Critical Needs Grants Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Year-End Critical Needs Grants, funded by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, allocate a minimum of $60,000 to support public charities and faith-based organizations within a 20-town service area.	Not published	Varies
Happy Soles Grant for Cancer-Related Infertility Treatment The Community's Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Provides funding to families experiencing infertility as a result of cancer treatments.	Not published	Varies
Phoenix CARES Act (Phoenix Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) Trellis · Foundation Not published · $300 – $3K	Not published	$300 – $3K
The BGP Remembers Fund Bill Graham Memorial Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies To provide assistance to musicians and arts workers affected by the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic	Not published	Varies
Community Assistance Fund The Junior League of Tyler Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Junior League of Tyler, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.	Not published	Up to $5K
JLH: Emergency + Contingency Grants The Junior League of Houston Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The JLH Emergency + Contingency Grants provide financial support to tax-exempt organizations addressing urgent needs in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris, and Waller counties.	Not published	Varies
A.V. Hunter Trust Grants to Organizations (General Operating) Av Hunter Trust Incorporated · Foundation Not published · $10K – $20K General operating grants to qualifying 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofits (operating >=3 full years, annual budget < $1,000,000, financially stable) that provide direct services to Coloradans in the priority areas People in Financial…	Not published	$10K – $20K
Thomas J Nelson Sr Scholarship Grant Community Foundation of NCW · Foundation Not published · Varies The Thomas J Nelson Sr Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, honors the legacy of Tom Nelson, a dedicated community member.	Not published	Varies
Patient Logistics Grants Smile Train Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies This program targets patients whose families could never make it to the hospital for treatment without additional financial support.	Not published	Varies
IU & You Hardship Assistance Fund Susquehanna Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Provide support to current CSIU students/families and current CSIU employees when experiencing hardship.	Not published	Varies
Camp Midicha First Time Camper Grant Diabetes SOLUT1ONS · Foundation Not published · Up to $400 Assist first-time campers who do not have the financial resources to attend Camp Midicha overnight camp.	Not published	Up to $400
Brylan's Feat Financial & Treatment Assistance Brylan's Feat Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies Brylan's Feat Foundation (AZ) provides treatment/financial assistance to individuals with a lymphedema diagnosis (pediatric focus) covering certified lymphedema therapist consults/measuring, custom garments, bandaging supplies, therapy…	Rolling	Varies
Build HOPE Maine Equal Justice Partners · Foundation Not published · Varies Build HOPE is a program launched in January 2022 by Maine Equal Justice to provide financial assistance to low-income parents pursuing higher education or training.	Not published	Varies
Traditional Utility Assistance Grant Fuel Fund of Maryland Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Traditional program provides financial assistance to BGE residential customers who do not qualify for the Power of One (single-parent households) or Silver Lights (60+ or critical medical needs) programs.	Not published	Varies
ARAC Emergency Relief Fund Arrowhead Regional Arts Council · Foundation Not published · $500 – $1K ARAC's Emergency Relief Fund provides $500 or $1,000 to individual artists in the Arrowhead region with a critical need (healthcare, housing, equipment, or legal emergency).	Not published	$500 – $1K
Financial Assistance Program Jessica June Children's Cancer Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies JJCCF's main program committed to providing emergency financial relief to help families fighting childhood cancer pay for everyday basic necessities such as rent, utilities, medical, car, gas and food.	Not published	Varies
PCMA Industry Relief Fund Foundation of the Professional Convention Management Association · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
James Arnold Fund Southcoast Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Since 1995, the SouthCoast Community Foundation has given rise to philanthropic giving across the SouthCoast region. In its first year of operation, the SouthCoast Community Foundation received its first charitable gift of $100,000.	Not published	Varies
MN350's Frontline Fund MN350 · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Frontline Fund is committed to aiding frontline workers with microfinancing for purposes that fall within four broad categories. Applicants must fill out the MN350 Frontline Fund Application and send it to frontlinefund@mn350.org.	Rolling	Varies
IATSE Local 600 Hardship Fund Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The IATSE Local 600: Traditional Hardship Fund Grant provides emergency financial assistance to performing arts and entertainment professionals in times of unexpected need.	Not published	Varies
Medical Assistance Program Viking Charities Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Vikings of Solvang assist people in paying for medical needs if they cannot afford to pay the expenses themselves. Requests are processed on a monthly basis.	Rolling	Varies

Showing 649–672 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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