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
Emergency Fund Lifeline Loan (LHOME) The Housing Partnership Inc · Foundation Rolling · $500 – $25K LHOME (a Louisville-based Community Development Financial Institution) provides immediate emergency services to Louisville residents and small business owners.	Rolling	$500 – $25K
Welfare Avoidance Grant Maryland Department of Human Services · State Not published · Varies To divert families from relying on public assistance by providing funds to meet a short-term crisis.	Not published	Varies
Student Emergency Fund Norwalk Community College Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · $216K Established in 2020 by the NCC Foundation to help students with urgent, one-time financial shortfalls. Provides emergency funding to qualified students dealing with various financial hardships.	Rolling	$216K
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Fund Grant Healthwell Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $15K The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Fund, managed by HealthWell Foundation, aims to alleviate financial barriers for underinsured patients battling ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease.	Not published	Up to $15K
Hospitality Relief Fund Jupiter Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies Applicants must satisfy ALL of the following:	Rolling	Varies
Wildhorse Foundation: Rapid Response Grant Wildhorse Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Wildhorse Foundation offers a Rapid Response Grant for urgent needs throughout the year, with no set application deadline. Typically, one grant of up to $1,500 is awarded annually, adhering to the same guidelines as full grants.	Not published	Up to $2K
PSU-AAUP Family Friendly Fund Portland St Univ Chapter of Aaup · Foundation Not published · Varies Reimburses caregiving costs incurred during unexpected interference with work demands.	Not published	Varies
Kyle and Samantha Busch Bundle of Joy Fund The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund · Foundation Not published · $15K – $100K A financial assistance program designed to help couples overcome the financial burden of infertility treatments, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF). Impact to Date (as of content publication):	Not published	$15K – $100K
Community Health Aide Emergency Fund Grant Bethel Community Services Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Emergency fund to support Community Health Aides	Not published	Varies
HEERF Funding for Students - CRRSAA Southwest Virginia Community College Educational Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $250 – $420 Federal funding provided through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) from the US Department of Education to help students offset the financial impact of COVID-19 through grant awards.	Not published	$250 – $420
Resilience and Recovery Fund Tulsa Economic Development Corporation · Foundation Not published · Up to $50K In partnership with Tulsa Economic Development Corporation (TEDC), the City of Tulsa dedicated $1.1 million in funds for zero-interest loans to provide financial assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs affected by COVID-19.	Not published	Up to $50K
St. Catherine of Alexandria Scholarship Grant Central Indiana Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The St. Catherine of Alexandria Scholarship, established by Robert and Elaine Damler, aims to support Marion County residents facing significant personal hardships.	Not published	Varies
Arkansas Community Foundation COVID-19 Family Relief Fund Fayetteville Public Education Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K Assists Fayetteville Public School students whose families are experiencing financial challenges due to COVID-19 such as shelter, utilities, and basic needs.	Not published	$1K
Leave Your Mark Grant International Medical Group Inc. · Foundation Not published · $1K – $4K The Leave Your Mark Grant, offered by International Medical Group (IMG), aims to support global outreach efforts by providing funding to 5 winners: 2 organizations will each receive $3,500, while 3 individuals will get $1,000 each.	Not published	$1K – $4K
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Multi-Ethnic Business Association · Foundation Not published · Varies Forgivable loan program created under the CARES Act to support small businesses, sole proprietors, independent contractors, self-employed persons, and eligible nonprofit organizations during COVID-19 pandemic.	Not published	Varies
COVID-19 Action Fund: Non-Profit Emergency Grant Santa Clara County Realtors Foundation · Foundation Not published · $3K The Foundation created this special action fund to respond to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.	Not published	$3K
Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Security Deposit — Williston/Dickinson (CAPND) Community Action Partnership of North Dakota Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies CAP's Emergency Services for the Williston/Dickinson region include Rental Assistance — 'Limited assistance is available for monthly rent on an emergency basis. CAP does not provide permanent and on-going assistance for rent.	Rolling	Varies
Richmond Christmas Mother Fund Grant United Way Of Greater Richmond & Petersburg · Foundation Not published · Varies The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund Grant, established in 1935, aims to support underprivileged families in Richmond during the holiday season.	Not published	Varies
Individual/Family Funding Community Closet Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community Closet provides funding assistance to individual residents of Park County for catastrophic incidents and specific hardship situations.	Not published	Varies
Emergency Artist Fund (COVID-19 Disaster Recovery) Arts Council Napa Valley · Foundation Not published · Up to $30K Provide crucial aid paid directly to artists and organizations grappling with unprecedented loss of income due to pandemic shutdowns	Not published	Up to $30K
Suburban Cook County Survivor Cash Assistance The Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence · Foundation Rolling · $1K Cash assistance program for survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking residing in Suburban Cook County.	Rolling	$1K
Public Assistance to Adults Maryland Department of Human Services · State Not published · Varies To make payments to low income, severely disabled or elderly customers who reside in licensed assisted living, rehabilitative residences and CARE home settings.	Not published	Varies
Emergency Relief for Businesses Grant (Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority) Colorado Springs Community Ventures Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Emergency Relief for Businesses Grant provides grant relief to street-level retail, restaurant and service businesses within DDA boundaries after a major, unforeseen incident causing prolonged diminishment of business or displacement…	Rolling	Varies
Al Forthan Memorial Scholarship Volunteers of America of Oregon Inc · Foundation Not published · $10K The Al Forthan Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Oregon high school seniors from families affected by alcohol or drug addiction.	Not published	$10K

Showing 865–888 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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