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
Begin Again Foundation Financial Aid Fund Begin Again Foundation · Foundation Rolling · $1K In partnership with Patient Advocate Foundation, the Begin Again Foundation Financial Aid Fund works to support eligible patients who have an Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Sepsis and/or Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) physician…	Rolling	$1K
ALATEC Corporate Care Fund Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
AMI/USA Tim Nee Relief Fund Association Montessori International · Foundation Not published · Varies The AMI/USA Tim Nee Relief Fund offers direct support to AMI/USA Member Schools and eligible closely-affiliated colleagues (materials/classroom-supply budget, professional-development fees); applications open December 31, 2025 and funding…	Not published	Varies
Gender Affirming Identity Document & Emergency Assistance Grant City of Boston · State Not published · Up to $50K The Gender Affirming Identity Document & Emergency Assistance Grant, offered by the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA2S+ Advancement, aims to dismantle barriers faced by trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive individuals in Boston.	Not published	Up to $50K
AAPI Emergency Relief Fund The Asian American Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies The AAPI Emergency Relief Fund, seeded by TAAF in partnership with GoFundMe, provides direct support to AAPI survivors or the families of AAPI victims impacted by a hate-motivated or violent crime.	Rolling	Varies
Community Foundation Grants (General Grantmaking) Whitley County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $50K The Community Foundation of Whitley County awards grants to deserving nonprofits and community organizations throughout the year to enhance quality of life in Whitley County.	Not published	$1K – $50K
Direct Financial Grants to Families Jenna's Rainbow Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Jenna's Rainbow Foundation provides direct financial grants to families facing specific financial challenges while undergoing pediatric brain and spinal cord tumor treatment and supporting end-of-life care.	Rolling	Varies
Special and Urgent Needs Fund Grant Adirondack Foundation · Foundation Not published · $250 – $3K The Special and Urgent Needs Fund Grant by the Adirondack Foundation provides critical financial support to local communities and nonprofits facing unexpected challenges.	Not published	$250 – $3K
Disaster Relief Grants Iowa Credit Union Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Up to $500 Support Iowa credit union members who have been displaced from their homes for an extended period of time due to disasters such as tornadoes, flooding, or fire. Applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria:	Rolling	Up to $500
Youngstown Foundation: Emergency Grant Program Youngstown Fdn General · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K Established in 1918, The Youngstown Foundation is a place of connection, where generosity and community action meet to create powerful improvements on the quality of life.	Not published	Up to $5K
Staples Cause for Caring Grant Program Staples Cause for Caring inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
CFSI: Emergency Grants Community Foundation of Southern Indiana Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The CFSI Emergency Grants program, managed by the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, aims to assist 501(c)(3) organizations facing unforeseen emergencies.	Not published	Varies
DaisyCares Pet Food Program The Daisy Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies A lifeline program that provides access to free pet food for dogs and cats for families experiencing economic challenges, ensuring pets continue to receive food and care they need.	Not published	Varies
PSU-AAUP Assistance Fund Portland St Univ Chapter of Aaup · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 Provides financial support for AAUP members experiencing financial hardship.	Not published	Up to $500
OMEF Scholarship Fund Oregon Medical Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · $250 – $1K Financial hardship relief for Medical and Physician Assistant students	Not published	$250 – $1K
Friends of Outdoor Adventures Grant Program North Valley Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The Friends of Outdoor Adventures Grant Program, offered by the North Valley Community Foundation, aims to support Butte County youths facing financial barriers to engage in outdoor activities.	Not published	Up to $1K
Student Emergency Grants Columbia Gorge Community College Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The CGCC Foundation offers emergency assistance funds to help students who face unexpected financial challenges that may prevent them from continuing their education.	Not published	Varies
Property Tax Benefit Community in Action · Foundation Not published · Up to $40K This program is designed to assist homeowners who own their homes outright (no mortgage liens on the property) and have fallen behind on their county property taxes due to a hardship but can afford their taxes going forward.	Not published	Up to $40K
Emma Harper Turner (EHT) Fund - Collegian Grants Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Louisiana Alpha · Foundation Rolling · Varies Awards are made in the hope of helping members through financial crisis created by job loss, illness, natural disaster or other unexpected life circumstances.	Rolling	Varies
Blue Horizon Health Fund Grant Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $750 The Blue Horizon Health Fund, managed by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, provides financial assistance for medical expenses to individuals and families in need within specific Connecticut towns.	Not published	Up to $750
COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants Marshall County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Emergency funding program to address critical basic needs of households impacted by COVID-19, administered through United Way of Marshall County in partnership with Marshall County Community Foundation.	Rolling	Varies
AEF Emergency Assistance Grant - Disaster Relief American Legion Auxiliary Unit 270 Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K An Auxiliary Emergency Fund grant that provides immediate emergency assistance to American Legion Auxiliary members in areas devastated by natural disasters.	Not published	Up to $2K
James A. & Marcella M. Tobin Room Fund McPherson County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $500	Not published	Up to $500
Kyle Broussard Memorial Fund Grant Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana · Foundation Rolling · Up to $5K Assists families from Southwest Louisiana with children receiving treatment for cancer.	Rolling	Up to $5K

Showing 697–720 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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