Hardship Grants

Last updated October 27, 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
Weaving the Safety Net Heart of Indiana United Way Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Heart of Indiana United Way seeks partners to work with clients in crisis to help them address basic needs and bring stability to their lives.	Not published	Varies
Never Give Up, Never Back Down – Richard K. Urey Memorial Fund Addiction Recovery Grant The Community's Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Supports individuals desiring to stay at an Oxford House property for addiction recovery.	Not published	Varies
Mardag Foundation: Community Emergency Grant Program Mardag Foundation · Foundation Not published · $3K – $20K The Mardag Foundation's Community Emergency Grant Program provides one-time funding to Food Access and Housing organizations in East Metro and Greater Minnesota.	Not published	$3K – $20K
Smoky Valley Cares Fund – Life Saving Screenings Lindsborg Community Hospital Association · Foundation Not published · Varies Provides financial assistance to individuals who need important cancer screenings but may not have the financial means to afford them. Smoky Valley service area (priority), though assistance available more broadly	Not published	Varies
Grant Applications KTA Funding Hope Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies KTA Funding Hope operates as a non-profit organization providing donations directly to those in need.	Not published	Varies
Bollinger Foundation Grant The Bollinger Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $8K The Bollinger Foundation Grant aims to empower children who have lost a parent or guardian by providing financial assistance for their education and well-being.	Not published	Up to $8K
YMCA of San Diego County Financial Aid Program Grant YMCA of San Diego County · Foundation Not published · Varies The YMCA of San Diego County offers a Financial Aid Program through its ACCESS scholarship initiative, ensuring that everyone has the chance to participate in its community services.	Not published	Varies
YMCA of Greater Cleveland Scholarship Program Grant YMCA of Greater Cleveland · Foundation Not published · Varies The YMCA of Greater Cleveland Scholarship Program offers financial assistance through a sliding fee scale, ensuring access to YMCA services for families, adults, and seniors regardless of their financial situation.	Not published	Varies
Child Passenger Safety Education and Assistance Program Grant Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research (OGR) · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Child Passenger Safety Education and Assistance Program provides essential support to eligible organizations in Massachusetts by funding car seats for low-income families.	Not published	Up to $10K
ASPSF Single Parent Scholarship Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund awards a flexible scholarship of up to $1,600 to low-to-moderate-income Arkansas single parents (moms and dads) pursuing skilled-trade certificates, associate, or bachelor's degrees, paired with…	Not published	Up to $2K
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students Lurleen B Wallace Community College Foundation · Foundation Not published · $550 – $2K Emergency Financial Aid Grants funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and supplemental appropriations (CRRSAA) In compliance with guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE), Lurleen…	Not published	$550 – $2K
Financial Assistance Program Kosair Charities Committee Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Financial Assistance Program provides direct financial assistance to families in Kentucky and Southern Indiana.	Rolling	Varies
Herreid Deer River Fund Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provide crisis funding to help individuals or families in the Deer River (56636) area experiencing a crisis of some kind. If you are in need of assistance, contact: Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation Phone: 218-999-9100	Rolling	Varies
Grand Foundation Emergency Grants Columbine Community Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies Emergency grant requests are available for an unusual circumstance or need.	Rolling	Varies
Help Our Neighbors Grant Program Community Foundation of Anne Arundel CO · Foundation Not published · $500 – $1K The Help Our Neighbors Grant Program, initiated by the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, provides vital emergency assistance to individuals and families in need.	Not published	$500 – $1K
Emergency Support Fund of the Shelby Foundation Grant Shelby Ohio Community Foundation of Richland County · Foundation Not published · Varies The Emergency Support Fund of the Shelby Foundation provides crucial assistance to nonprofits responding to emergencies in the Shelby community.	Not published	Varies
Emergency Housing Assistance Community in Action · Foundation Not published · Varies Community in Action serves homeless families and at-risk individuals who have obstacles that prevent or imminently threaten their ability to obtain and/or maintain safe, decent, affordable housing.	Not published	Varies
IATSE Local 700 Hardship Relief Fund Grant Entertainment Community Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The IATSE Local 700 Hardship Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to eligible members of the performing arts and entertainment industry during critical times.	Not published	Varies
American Gold Star Manor Housing Assistance Grant American Gold Star Mothers Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K This grant provides temporary financial housing support for Gold Star parents through short-term rental and mortgage assistance.	Not published	Up to $5K
AVMF Disaster Relief Grants for Veterinary Professionals American Veterinary Medical Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies AVMF Disaster Relief Grants help veterinary professionals affected by disasters (e.g., a dedicated fund for veterinarians affected by the conflict in Ukraine, plus general disaster-relief grants for veterinary professionals).	Not published	Varies
Area of Greatest Need (Annual Fund) Lorain County Community College Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Annual Fund provides flexible, immediate support where needed most at LCCC, offering scholarships, enhancing student services, funding innovative academic programs, and addressing unforeseen challenges.	Not published	Varies
Prepared to Learn Program North Platte Public Schools Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Prepared to Learn Program is designed to offer immediate assistance to NPPS students in need by providing necessary elements crucial to their academic, emotional and social success, all in a confidential manner.	Not published	Varies
Francis Courtney Educational Fund Grant Housing Pathways · Foundation Not published · £500 - £1,500 The Francis Courtney Educational Fund Grant, managed by Housing Pathways, supports individuals under 25 in the London Borough of Ealing with scholarships, bursaries, and one-off grants for educational expenses.	Not published	£500 - £1,500
American Cancer Society Transportation and Lodging Grants Essentia Health Moose Lake · Foundation Not published · $10K – $20K Help alleviate financial burden for patients undergoing cancer treatment by providing transportation and lodging assistance Part of a nationwide investment of $9 million from the American Cancer Society expected to provide nearly 63,000…	Not published	$10K – $20K

Showing 889–912 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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