Hardship Grants

Last updated October 27, 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
YMCA Financial Stability Fund Julie Weintraub's Hands Across the Bay Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies This fund supports YMCA of the Suncoast employees experiencing financial hardship due to qualifying events.	Not published	Varies
Grand Foundation Emergency Grants Columbine Community Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies Outside its single annual cycle, the Grand Foundation accepts emergency grant requests for an unusual circumstance or need; an Emergency Grant Form and Emergency Final Report are published on the grants page.	Rolling	Varies
Lexington Emergency Fund Lutheran Family Services of NE Inc · Foundation Not published · $500 Emergency cash assistance program for residents of Lexington, Nebraska, who were laid off due to the Tyson Foods plant closure on January 20, 2026.	Not published	$500
Harold E. and Imogene L. Caine Memorial Fund Grants Henry County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Harold E. and Imogene L. Caine Memorial Fund Grants support Henry County non-profit organizations that provide holiday assistance to children aged 5 and under.	Not published	Varies
OF Charitable Grant Program Academy of Osseointegration · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K Provides financial assistance to improve the quality of life for patients diagnosed with a lifetime dental deficit or who have suffered from severe dental trauma and are unable to receive needed dental therapy due to economic restraints.	Not published	Up to $10K
Wellfleet Shellfish Harvester Relief Fund Lower Cape Outreach Councilinc · Foundation Rolling · $600 – $900 Assist Wellfleet shellfishermen and women and their families who are experiencing financial emergencies which deprive them of basic human needs.	Rolling	$600 – $900
Interlace Grant Fund: Emergency Grants The Andy Warhol Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 The Interlace Grant Fund offers Emergency Grants to visual artists in the Providence area facing urgent needs like eviction or healthcare costs. Applications are accepted monthly, with awards between $50 and $500, totaling $1250 each month.	Not published	Up to $500
Fuel Assistance Grants (Native American Tribes) Citizens Energy Corporation · Foundation Not published · $200K Direct grants to Native American tribes for fuel assistance programs serving low-income households.	Not published	$200K
Tracy Family Fund Northwest CT Community Foundation Trust · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Charlie's Fund for Children South Madison Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies To invest in a child's success by providing assistance to children in need who reside in South Madison County.	Not published	Varies
HFPG: Basic Human Needs Emergency Assistance Grants Hartford Foundation for Public Giving · Foundation Not published · $1K – $20K The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has launched the Basic Human Needs Emergency Assistance Grants to support nonprofits in Greater Hartford.	Not published	$1K – $20K
Foreclosure Prevention & Outreach Maryland Department of Labor · State Not published · Varies Administers Maryland’s Foreclosure Registration System and conducts direct outreach to homeowners facing foreclosure.	Not published	Varies
Glen Miller Grants for Emergency Health Care Costs Rochester Area Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic…	Not published	Varies
Gateway Disaster Relief Grant Program Gateway Wellness Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $25K Gateway Wellness Foundation provides emergency relief to those affected by Hurricane Helene in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations. Sarah Morse, Director of Programs & Grants	Not published	$5K – $25K
Kennebec Savings Bank Catalyst Grant Educare Central Maine · Foundation Not published · $10K Awards funds to nonprofits to help them launch new, innovative projects that enhance their ability to serve the community. In 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic impact, the program awarded relief funds to nonprofits demonstrating specific need.	Not published	$10K
Barrier Removal: Direct to Students Grant (MiLEAP) West Shore Community College Foundation · Foundation Not published · $34K This grant is dedicated to addressing critical non-tuition barriers that can impact student success, including: Grant funds are directly allocated to WSCC students in the form of: The grant aims to alleviate immediate challenges faced by…	Not published	$34K
Resident Support Fund Columbia Vantage Point Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Columbia Vantage Point Foundation and Residences at Vantage Point commit to ensuring that no resident loses a home for lack of funding/resources that occurs through no fault of their own.	Not published	Varies
COVID-19 Response Fund United Way of Chester County Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Rapid response fund launched to deploy resources to community-based organizations offering crucial support to families and individuals in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.	Not published	Varies
NEPM Foundation Brain Cancer Family Support Grant NEPM Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Helps families navigate difficult times by covering non-medical expenses for brain cancer patients and their families. The foundation recognizes that many families struggle with overwhelming financial obligations beyond medical care.	Rolling	Varies
$500 Grants to Farm Families Impacted by Covid-19 Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 Anny Bruch, Vice President of Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation	Not published	$500
Kathy Seastedt "Dream On" Fund Filling the Gap Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies One of The Resource Center funds managed by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. This fund provides financial resources to assist individuals with disabling conditions who live in the community and who have unfunded needs.	Not published	Varies
Devices & Technology Grant Danny Did Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
Crisis Relief Grants The Dramatists Guild Fund Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Emergency grants designed to help writers facing financial crises or urgent hardship situations. To provide financial assistance to writers experiencing unexpected hardship	Rolling	Varies
Patient Assistance Fund Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust · Foundation Rolling · Up to $150 IBCAT provides limited financial assistance to Hoosiers struggling with financial hardships while undergoing active treatment for breast cancer. Assistance is provided in the form of egiftcards for grocery and/or gas purchases.	Rolling	Up to $150

Showing 817–840 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 27, 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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