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

Find the hardship grants matched to your org

Free, no account to start — Grantable's AI ranks all 1,188 on mission, geography, and award size in a few minutes.

Start finding grants

Sort

Type

State

Amount

Eligibility

Include closed grants

Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
PEMF Pandemic Grant Program Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Provide area EMS agencies and first responders with basic-needs items in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Created by PEMF board in 24 hours to address urgent needs of frontline EMS workers.	Not published	Varies
Financial and Social Assistance Swiss Benevolent Society of Phila · Foundation Rolling · Varies Direct assistance to individuals and families in need	Rolling	Varies
Ready2Work Award The Amazing X Charitable Trust · Foundation Not published · $250 A one-time award designed to help recent graduates overcome barriers to employment by providing financial support for essential work-related needs.	Not published	$250
Linda's Fund McDonough District Hospital Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Financial assistance program established in October 2008 in memory of Linda (Ren) Bainter to support women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families.	Not published	Varies
Virginia Natural Gas Charitable Giving: Bill Payment Assistance Grant Virginia Natural Gas · Foundation Not published · Varies Virginia Natural Gas offers a Charitable Giving program focused on supporting low-income households and seniors with their natural gas bills. The program includes weatherization projects and emergency assistance for bill payments.	Not published	Varies
R2Arts: Emergency Relief Grant Region 2 Arts Council · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 The R2Arts Emergency Relief Grant provides crucial support to artists and culture bearers in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen counties, especially during times of natural disaster or health crises.	Not published	Up to $500
Acts Samaritan Fund Acts Legacy Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Helps relieve the financial burden when residents experience unexpected dissipation of personal resources, making it difficult or impossible to meet the total cost of care.	Not published	Varies
Emergency Assistance to Families with Children Maryland Department of Human Services · State Not published · Varies To provide payment no more than once in a 24-month period to families with children who experience specific types of emergencies	Not published	Varies
The Musician Health & Services Program Grant The Jeremy Willson Charitable Trust · Foundation Not published · Varies The Musician Health & Services Program, funded by The Jeremy Willson Charitable Trust, provides essential support for professional musicians facing financial hardships due to medical or mental health issues.	Not published	Varies
Perpetual Benevolent Fund Grants Perpetual Benevolent Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies The Perpetual Benevolent Fund Grants provide crucial financial assistance to residents of Newton, Waltham, and Watertown facing hardships.	Not published	Varies
Employee Emergency Fund The Corvallis Clinic Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Serves as a financial resource in emergency situations for Corvallis Clinic employees facing family crisis and hardship. Corvallis Clinic employees should contact Human Resources to obtain an application and supporting documentation.	Rolling	Varies
No One Left Behind Loan Program - Personal Emergency Loan No One Left Behind · Foundation Rolling · Up to $4K No-interest emergency loan designed to provide immediate financial relief to Afghan and Iraqi SIV recipients facing unexpected challenges during their resettlement in the United States.	Rolling	Up to $4K
Reno Firefighters Local 731 Benevolent Fund Reno Firefighters Association Inc Local 731 · Foundation Not published · Varies The Reno Firefighters Local 731 Benevolent Fund bridges gaps in charitable aid by offering flexible, unrestricted support to Reno firefighters facing hardships, medical emergencies, or challenges.	Not published	Varies
Huron Community Foundation Grant South Dakota Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 – $10K The Huron Community Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Huron area by providing funding for programs that address basic needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.	Not published	$500 – $10K
Oshkosh COVID-19 Relief Fund Oshkosh Area United Way Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Website: www.oshkoshunitedway.org/COVID19	Not published	Varies
Tailored for Troops Grant Program Disabled Veterans National Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Tailored for Troops Grant Program, initiated by the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, provides essential business attire to veterans seeking employment.	Not published	Varies
KuuKuupa In Memoriam Endowed Fund Grant Native Forward Scholars Fund · Foundation Not published · Varies Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.	Not published	Varies
Serving of Hope Fund Northern Montana Health Care Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Serving of Hope fund was created in 2009 to help Hi-Line residents who have to travel for serious medical conditions. The fund provides financial assistance to patients experiencing medical emergencies.	Rolling	Varies
Community Foundation for McHenry County: Emergency Grants The Community Foundation for McHenry County · Foundation Not published · Varies The Community Foundation for McHenry County offers Emergency Grants to support nonprofits facing unforeseen and time-sensitive financial challenges.	Not published	Varies
ECC Foundation Emergency Student Relief Fund Elgin Community College Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A flexible funding source established by the Elgin Community College Foundation to help students facing financial hardship, particularly those impacted by crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.	Not published	Varies
Monroe County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Pocono Mountains United Way · Foundation Not published · Varies The Monroe County Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides help for renters who are behind on their rent or utilities, regardless of monthly rate.	Not published	Varies
New York State Folklore COVID-19 Relief Fund New York Folklore Society Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 Emergency grants to assist folk and traditional artists impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants help with specific short-term financial needs including food, medical bills, and rent assistance.	Not published	Up to $500
Mac's Toy Fund Grant Beckley Area Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Mac's Toy Fund has been a beacon of hope for families in Raleigh County for 93 years, providing essential items like toys, coats, and bikes during Christmas.	Not published	Varies
Maryland Veterans Trust Fund Department of Veterans & Military Families · State Not published · Varies A 501C3 organization designated to assist veterans and their families who are experiencing temporary financial difficulties.	Not published	Varies

Showing 1009–1032 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.

Get a shortlist of hardship grants built for your organization

Tell Grantable's AI about your nonprofit and it ranks these grants on mission, geography, and award fit — then emails you a personalized shortlist with the reasoning for each. Free, no account to start.

Find my grants — emailed to me

Your AI grants department