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
Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants New York Foundation for the Arts Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants, administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts, provide one-time funding up to $5,000 for artists facing unexpected medical emergencies.	Not published	Up to $5K
Employee Assistance Program Swift Charities Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Swift Charities provides financial and support services to Swift Transportation employees facing unpredictable, life-altering challenges. Support during a time of need for members of the Swift family.	Not published	Varies
Lancaster Cares COVID-19 Response Fund Lancaster County Foundation · Foundation Rolling · $1K – $10K Lancaster Cares is designed to provide essential support for Lancaster families during the COVID-19 crisis.	Rolling	$1K – $10K
Bulk Fuel Assistance Grant Fuel Fund of Maryland Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Fuel Fund may provide bulk fuel assistance to qualifying households age 60 and older who use bulk fuel for heating (oil, propane, kerosene, or pellets).	Not published	Varies
2026 Community Investment Grants United Way of Grant County Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Programs in health, education, and financial stability that support: United Way of Grant County has been a cornerstone of community support since 1956.	Not published	Varies
Ventura County Storm Fund Ventura County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Emergency relief fund established to provide immediate financial assistance to low-income families and seniors affected by devastating flooding in Ventura County.	Not published	Varies
IATSE Local 161 Hardship Relief Fund Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The IATSE Local 161 Hardship Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unexpected critical needs.	Not published	Varies
Financial Assistance Program Denver Fire Fighters Burn Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Charitable Foundation assists in the care and recovery of fire fighters and those closest to them throughout life's challenges. The foundation maintains confidentiality for all medical and financial information submitted.	Rolling	Varies
Teaching Artist Relief Grants Monmouth County Arts Council Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $2K Relief grants funded by the New Jersey Arts & Culture Renewal Fund (NJACRF) of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, administered by Monmouth Arts as regranting agency for a third year.	Not published	$1K – $2K
Preservation Benefit Community in Action · Foundation Not published · Up to $40K The Preservation Benefit is designed to help homeowners who can afford their mortgage payment but are behind on their first lien mortgage due to a financial hardship.	Not published	Up to $40K
Women's Giving Circle Grant Yampa Valley Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The Women's Giving Circle Grant aims to provide urgent financial assistance up to $3,000 for individuals and families in the Yampa Valley facing crises.	Not published	Up to $3K
Emergency Assistance Fund University Technology Development Corporation · Foundation Rolling · Varies To help currently enrolled students and current university employees (faculty and staff) who face financial hardship resulting from emergency or crisis situations.	Rolling	Varies
The Applied Materials Momentum Fund - Emergency Financial Assistance Grant The Applied Materials Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $595 The Applied Materials Momentum Fund offers emergency financial assistance to students facing unexpected financial obstacles while pursuing degrees in engineering.	Not published	Up to $595
DWB Memorial Foundation Grant Dwb Memorial Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The DWB Memorial Foundation Grant empowers Minnesota-based organizations and families in need by honoring the legacy of David Wynn Bigham.	Not published	Varies
Catch Grant USA Football Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The CATCH Grant, offered by USA Football, provides essential support to organizations facing critical challenges such as natural disasters or theft.	Not published	Varies
Fund Critical Needs Response Initiative Princeton Area Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Family Care Fund Program Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $50K Assistance available to Morton Plant Mease team members (employees) facing unanticipated financial uncertainty.	Not published	$50K
Student Assistance Fund (SAF) East High Angel Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
Bob Ortblad Foundation Help$ Grants Northwest Sarcoma Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Adult Patient Financial Assistance for sarcoma patients Through the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation financial assistance programs, funds are available to ease the financial strain placed on patients throughout the treatment process.	Not published	Varies
AAPL Educational Foundation Disaster Relief Grant American Association of Professional Landmen Inc · Foundation Not published · $600K The AAPL Educational Foundation provides disaster-relief grants to AAPL members who have suffered financial loss due to natural disasters (flooding, hurricane wind damage, fires, landslides).	Not published	$600K
Short-Term Financial Assistance Masonic Home of Missouri · Foundation Rolling · Varies Assists eligible Missouri Masons, their wives or widows, and Eastern Star ladies in good standing who are experiencing an unexpected and temporary period of financial hardship, typically caused by recent job loss or serious illness.	Rolling	Varies
Helping People In Need Fund (HPIN) Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Grant fund focused on helping people in need within the coastal Georgia region.	Not published	Varies
Birdies4Brains Grant Birdies 4 Brains MN Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Birdies4Brains awards grants to brain-injury (acquired or traumatic) survivors in the Minnesota community who have a specific need.	Rolling	Varies
Helping our HeritAge Program Elevate Charities · Foundation Rolling · Varies Elevate Charities recognizes that approximately 25 million Americans live on less than $27,000 per year, with seniors disproportionately affected by high healthcare costs.	Rolling	Varies

Showing 721–744 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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