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
BFOA Emergency Grant Broadcasters Foundation of America · Foundation Not published · Varies The Broadcasters Foundation of America Emergency Grant provides vital financial assistance to broadcasters facing acute financial hardship due to natural disasters or emergencies.	Not published	Varies
COVID-19 Relief Fund Tahoe Mountain Resorts Environmental Fund · Foundation Not published · $100K – $250K A special emergency fund created by Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation to provide immediate assistance to local residents in need of essential services during the COVID-19 health and economic crisis.	Not published	$100K – $250K
Student Emergency Aid Fund (Foundation for NH Community Colleges / Granite Edvance) Community Colleges of New Hampshire Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Student Emergency Aid Fund, created in 2024 by Granite Edvance with The Foundation for New Hampshire Community Colleges, helps cover short-term, non-academic expenses such as food, housing, childcare, and transportation so students can…	Not published	Varies
WNY Arts Emergency Relief Fund Arts Services Initiative of Western New York Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $5K	Not published	$1K – $5K
Rapid Response Grants Episcopal Impact Fund FKA Episcopal Charities · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
Community Grants Program - Hardship Grants Rust Foundation · Foundation Rolling · $500 – $2K Financial awards made to active maintainers of the Rust Project facing financial hardship. Learn more at: rustfoundation.org/grants/	Rolling	$500 – $2K
Irene D. Cunningham Trust Grant Irene D Cunningham W · Foundation Not published · $2K – $5K The Irene D. Cunningham Trust Grant supports charitable organizations in Delaware and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania, dedicated to assisting the needy poor.	Not published	$2K – $5K
Emergency Assistance Program St Raymond's Society · Foundation Rolling · Varies Recognizing that otherwise independent mothers sometimes face emergency situations, St. Raymond's Society offers financial and material services to eligible families experiencing unexpected financial hardship.	Rolling	Varies
IWMF Travel & Lodging (T&L) Assistance Program The International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
FKSI Scholarship Fund Grant Southern Illinois Community Foundation (SICF) · Foundation Not published · $3K The FKSI Scholarship Fund, managed by the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, aims to support high school graduates from Southern Illinois with $2,500 scholarships.	Not published	$3K
Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs Grant Program Sonoma County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $30K The Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs Grant Program, managed by Community Foundation Sonoma County, addresses the urgent needs of low-income families in Sonoma County.	Not published	Up to $30K
Clark Memorial Fund Grant Va Clark Memorial Foundation Tuw · Foundation Not published · Varies The Clark Memorial Fund Grant provides essential healthcare assistance to needy and indigent residents of Halifax County, Virginia.	Not published	Varies
The Higher Foundation Grant The Higher Foundation, Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 The Higher Foundation Grant provides essential, need-based financial support to college students in Georgia, helping them address critical needs such as food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and educational resources.	Not published	$500
ALGSAssistance Continuity of Care Program Alagille Syndrome Alliance · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provide financial assistance for patients and families who have experienced a natural disaster or unexpected hardship.	Rolling	Varies
Community Assistance for Residential Energy (CARE) Program - Weatherization Inland Power and Light · Foundation Rolling · Varies The CARE Program provides weatherization upgrades and repair options for eligible members. Many upgrade options are available to improve home energy efficiency.	Rolling	Varies
Santa Barbara Wine Community Crisis Fund Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies An emergency assistance initiative designed to provide rapid support to individuals working across the Santa Barbara County wine industry during times of crisis. To provide emergency financial assistance for:	Not published	Varies
Equipment Fund Illinois Spina Bifida Association · Foundation Not published · Up to $125 Assists families with out-of-pocket costs for orthotic or other mobility equipment The ISBA Equipment Fund is made possible by a generous gift from "A Helping Hand"	Not published	Up to $125
HELP Fund (Hardship and Emergency Lifeline Program) United Charitable · Foundation Rolling · Up to $3K	Rolling	Up to $3K
Housing Security Emergency Fund CHHAYA Community Development Corporation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Housing Security Emergency Fund seeks to prevent evictions and foreclosures by providing direct rent and mortgage assistance to low-to-moderate income (LMI) community members impacted by the long-term effects of the COVID-19 economic…	Not published	Varies
Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund for Maui Hawaii Ag and Culinary Alliance · Foundation Not published · $250 Originally established May 2020 to provide immediate support to restaurant and bar workers impacted by COVID-19 pandemic closures.	Not published	$250
Limited Income Energy Efficiency Program Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development · State Not published · Varies Assists low-to-moderate income-qualified households to reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills, improve health and safety, and home comfort with installation of energy efficiency and lower gas emission measures in their homes at no…	Not published	Varies
Kelley Therapeutic Shoe Fund Grant Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $100 – $500 The Kelley Therapeutic Shoe Fund, established by Jane Kelley through the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, provides financial assistance for therapeutic shoes to eligible elderly or disabled residents of Berkshire County, MA.	Not published	$100 – $500
Emergency Assistance Funds Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The Emergency Assistance Funds, provided by the Entertainment Community Fund, offer vital support to performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unforeseen financial hardships.	Not published	Varies
Community Opportunities - Emergency and Unexpected Needs (Community Foundation of Northern Illinois) Community Foundation of Northern Illinois · Foundation Rolling · Varies Community Opportunities exists 'To support unexpected opportunities and emergency needs of organizations in Northern Illinois.' Eligibility is '501c3 nonprofits located in and/or serving Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties.'…	Rolling	Varies

Showing 673–696 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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