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
CFDRR: Agency Emergency Fund Grant The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region · Foundation Not published · Up to $25K The CFDRR Agency Emergency Fund provides urgent financial assistance to nonprofit agencies in the Dan River Region facing unexpected emergencies.	Not published	Up to $25K
Maryland Energy Assistant Program (MEAP) Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development · State Not published · Varies Provides assistance to households that have non-functioning heating, cooling, or water heating systems.	Not published	Varies
Schuyler Health Foundation Emergency Financial Assistance Fund for Women with Cancer Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Schuyler Health Foundation, partnered with Gorges Givers volunteers, has established a fund to provide emergency financial assistance to women diagnosed with cancer.	Rolling	Varies
Federation's Hebrew Interest-free Loan Program Jewish Federation of Central New York Inc · Foundation Rolling · Up to $8K Based on a program established in the late 19th century when members of small Jewish communities developed plans to help newly arrived Jews build new lives.	Rolling	Up to $8K
Emergency Grants Foundation for Contemporary Arts Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Grant program providing urgent project support for artists facing immediate funding needs.	Rolling	Varies
Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund National Council for Community Development Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K	Not published	Up to $5K
Faribault Area Hospice Foundation Individual Financial Assistance Grant Faribault Area Hospice Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
Carl Frazier Fund for Economic Relief Granville Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Carl Frazier Fund provides confidential financial assistance to individuals and families facing financial hardship or unforeseen crises.	Not published	Varies
FPL Care to Share Program (Energy Saving Assistance) Catalyst Miami Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $750 Emergency assistance program for low-income households at risk of utility disconnection.	Not published	Up to $750
COVID-19 Response Fund Grants 3 Rivers Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
WMU Department of Sociology: Georgia E. Doles Walker Emergency Grant Western Michigan University · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 The Georgia E. Doles Walker Emergency Grant at Western Michigan University provides crucial financial assistance to undergraduate sociology students facing unexpected expenses.	Not published	Up to $500
HEERF Funding for Students - CARES Act Southwest Virginia Community College Educational Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Federal funding provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help students offset the financial impact of COVID-19 disruption.	Not published	Varies
Living Branches Benevolent Care Fund Souderton Mennonite Homes · Foundation Not published · Varies Gifts to this fund are invested for the purpose of providing benevolent care to residents of Living Branches who can no longer afford to pay the full cost of their care.	Not published	Varies
COVID-19 Action Fund: SCCAOR Member Grocery Card Santa Clara County Realtors Foundation · Foundation Not published · $200 The coronavirus pandemic and shelter-in-place orders brought real estate transactions to standstill. Those servicing the real estate industry saw their businesses grind to a halt.	Not published	$200
Youth Academy Financial Aid/Scholarship Opera Carolina Endowment · Foundation Not published · Varies Opera Carolina offers tuition assistance/scholarships for students enrolled in Youth Academy programming.	Not published	Varies
Appraiser Relief Fund National Association of Appraisers · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Appraiser Relief Fund is designed to assist appraisers affected by natural disasters and unforeseen events across the country, providing financial aid to help cover critical expenses and support business recovery.	Rolling	Varies
Humanitarian Grants (Msgr. Delaney Humanitarian Fund) Catholic Diocese of Pueblo Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $5K The Humanitarian Fund was established pursuant to a bequest from the late Msgr. Howard Delaney.	Not published	$1K – $5K
COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Emergency relief fund launched by United Way of Monroe County in partnership with the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County to direct funds toward basic needs and emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic.	Not published	Varies
Robert Fry Employee Assistance Fund The Bellin Health Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Employees 1st Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employee Assistance Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies A workplace relief program that helps employees facing financial difficulties immediately after a disaster or personal hardship. Employees 1st acts as a third-party, unbiased administrator to manage company-sponsored employee relief funds.	Rolling	Varies
Summer Grant Cycle- Earl D. and Carrie Leigh Doran Fund Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia · Foundation Not published · Varies The Earl D. and Carrie Leigh Doran Fund, managed by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, supports individuals and families facing catastrophic circumstances, particularly aiding organizations that assist battered women.	Not published	Varies
Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio - Individual (Patient Assistance) Grant Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio · Foundation Rolling · Varies BCF of Ohio individual/patient-assistance grants - a nonprofit provider applies on behalf of a specific Ohio breast cancer patient; funds are paid to the provider for the patient. Rolling email application.	Rolling	Varies
IATSE Local 476 Chicago Studio Mechanics Hardship Relief Fund Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The IATSE Local 476 Chicago Studio Mechanics Hardship Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to eligible performing arts and entertainment professionals facing unexpected critical needs.	Not published	Varies
WZ Giving Circle Grant Yampa Valley Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The WZ Giving Circle, supported by the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, focuses on assisting individuals and families in Routt and Moffat Counties through immediate financial aid.	Not published	Up to $5K

Showing 769–792 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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