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.

1,168 grants
Foundation
Updated daily
Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas · Rolling / Open Foundation

Knights of Columbus Endowment Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Community Foundation Of Southeast Kansas Last Updated: April 19, 2025 Summary The Knights of Columbus Endowment Fund, established to support…

$250 Visa cards per eligible individual (emergency relief fund)
HAWAII AG AND CULINARY ALLIANCE · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund for Maui Funder: Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance (HACA) Program Status: Active emergency relief fund, accepting applications through April 30, 2024 (program…

Minimum $50,000 endowment (with $50,000 match challenge from Krause family)
MCHS HOSPITALS INC · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Krause Family Pediatric Cancer Angel Fund Funder: Werner and Sue Krause (founders); Marshfield Clinic Focus Areas: - Pediatric cancer care - Financial assistance for families - Non-medical expenses…

Native Forward Scholars Fund · Rolling / Open Foundation

KuuKuupa In Memoriam Endowed Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Native Forward Scholars Fund Last Updated: January 02, 2026 Summary Overview Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial…

Varies by round; typically $15,000 per couple, with rounds ranging from $34,000 to $100,000+ total
THE SAMANTHA AND KYLE BUSCH BUNDLE · Rolling / Open · Semi-annual Foundation

Kyle and Samantha Busch Bundle of Joy Fund Overview: A financial assistance program designed to help couples overcome the financial burden of infertility treatments, specifically in vitro…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHWEST · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Kyle Broussard Memorial Fund Grant Purpose: Assists families from Southwest Louisiana with children receiving treatment for cancer. Background: The Kyle Broussard Memorial Fund was established as a…

Center for Cultural Innovation · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) was founded in 2001 as a California 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. Its mission is to support individuals in the…

LANCASTER COUNTY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Lancaster Cares COVID-19 Response Fund Overview: Lancaster Cares is designed to provide essential support for Lancaster families during the COVID-19 crisis. A joint response from the Lancaster County…

LANCASTER COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Lancaster Cares COVID-19 Response Fund Status: Active (launched during COVID-19 pandemic, rolling basis) Geographic Scope: Lancaster County, PA Focus Areas: - Food security - Housing support - Rapid…

EAST TENNESSEE FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Laura J. Kress Angel Tree Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: East Tennessee Foundation Amount: US $2,000 - US $10,000 Last Updated: August 22, 2025 Summary The Laura J. Kress Angel Tree Fund,…

CHUCKANUT HEALTH FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Laurendeau Cancer Care Fund Purpose: Assists cancer patients in Whatcom County with medical expenses and provides emotional support. Award History: Since its inception in 1980, the fund has helped…

CHUCKANUT HEALTH FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Laurendeau Cancer Care Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Chuckanut Health Foundation Last Updated: February 02, 2026 Summary The Laurendeau Cancer Care Fund, established in 1980, offers financial…

US $1,000 - US $3,500
International Medical Group Inc. · Rolling / Open Foundation

Leave Your Mark Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: International Medical Group Inc. Amount: US $1,000 - US $3,500 Last Updated: August 03, 2025 Summary The Leave Your Mark Grant, offered by International…

LEEWAY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview Leeway Foundation Our Mission The Leeway Foundation supports women and trans artists and cultural producers working in communities at the intersection of art, culture, and social change.…

LEND A HAND SOCIETY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Lend A Hand Society: Book Mission Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Lend A Hand Society Amount: US $500 - US $2,000 Last Updated: August 29, 2025 Summary The Lend A Hand Society offers the Book Mission…

LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Lexington Emergency Fund Organization: Lutheran Family Services Geographic Scope: Lexington, Nebraska Program Focus: Emergency cash assistance for workers affected by the Tyson Foods plant closure…

LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF NE INC · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Lexington Emergency Fund Overview: Emergency cash assistance program for residents of Lexington, Nebraska, who were laid off due to the Tyson Foods plant closure on January 20, 2026. Geographic…

OMAHA CHURCH CENTER INC · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

Lexington Emergency Fund Organization: Lutheran Family Services (LFS) Geographic Scope: Lexington, Nebraska Program Focus: Emergency cash assistance for workers affected by the Tyson Foods plant…

Up to US $10,000
THE OREGON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

LIFE Center Fund Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: The Oregon Community Foundation Amount: Up to US $10,000 Last Updated: March 12, 2026 Summary The LIFE Center Fund Grant, established by the Oregon…

Crawford-Sebastian Community · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) Program Type: Energy assistance for low-income households Geographic Scope: Crawford-Sebastian counties, AR Overview: LIHEAP provides assistance…

Frequently Asked Questions

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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