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
Family Assistance Fund Falls Church Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · $35K Provide support for the neediest families in Falls Church City Public Schools	Not published	$35K
Leeway Foundation: Community Care Fund (CCF) Leeway Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Leeway Foundation supports women and trans artists and cultural producers working in communities at the intersection of art, culture, and social change.	Not published	Varies
Union Plus Job Loss Grants International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Iron Ship Builders · Foundation Rolling · $250 Financial assistance grants for Union Plus credit card holders experiencing job loss, strikes, furloughs, or other financial hardships.	Rolling	$250
ILSWA Hardship Award Illinois State Wireless Association · Foundation Not published · Varies The ILSWA Hardship Program was instituted to support individuals or families facing challenges such as bereavement, health issues, or unexpected financial struggles.	Not published	Varies
Emergency Grants for Pancreatic Cancer Patients Purple Pansies Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Practical, hands-on support for immediate needs. Grants provide assistance with:	Rolling	Varies
The Liberation Award Strategic Community Partners Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K Supporting youth who are excelling while experiencing life as an emancipated minor or living independently without traditional engagement or family support.	Not published	$1K
Winter Storm Recovery Fund (Davidson County) The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Alagille Syndrome Vitamins and Supplements Fund Grant Healthwell Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K The Alagille Syndrome Vitamins and Supplements Fund, managed by the HealthWell Foundation, offers financial assistance to patients suffering from Alagille Syndrome.	Not published	Up to $2K
Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) Will County Center · Foundation Not published · Up to $60K	Not published	Up to $60K
Pennsylvania Optometric Emergency Assistance Program (POEAP) Vision Benefits of America Inc · Foundation Not published · $8K – $25K	Not published	$8K – $25K
Health Care Interpreters Fund Oregon Worker Relief · Foundation Not published · $500K Oregon Worker Relief provided COVID-relief payments to health care interpreters who worked during the pandemic through partnership with Pueblo Unido, Adelante Mujeres, and Oregon Interpreters in Action (AFSCME local).	Not published	$500K
Women and Children Combating Cancer Grant McPherson County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Emergency Relief Fund Mini Grant MCCF Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
PSU Mutual Aid Program (WBA Fund) Providence Student Union · Foundation Rolling · Varies A mutual aid program that connects students with funds and resources to address urgent needs. The program emphasizes community care and support.	Rolling	Varies
IGFF Grant (Employee Financial Hardship Grant) Ig Family Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Provides emergency financial assistance to eligible employees and contractors experiencing unplanned, unforeseen financial hardships that are beyond their means to manage and significantly alter their day-to-day life.	Rolling	Varies
Helping Heroes Home Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies One-time emergency financial assistance program for veterans facing urgent, unexpected expenses.	Rolling	Varies
Student and Staff Emergency Fund Roy James Rinehart Memorial Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Emergency financial assistance for students and staff	Not published	Varies
PNM Pueblo Relief Scholarship 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
OMH Employee HOPE Program (Helping Our People Every day) The Ohio Masonic Home · Foundation Not published · Varies A newly formed program established to help employees when they are in a time of need.	Not published	Varies
Emergency Medical Equipment (KŌKUA Grant) The Henry Kapono Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K Grants, information, and application assistance for Hawaiʻi music industry professionals needing permanent or temporary medical equipment for their personal use.	Not published	Up to $1K
United Way/2-1-1 ALICE Program Mini-Grants United Way of Tompkins County Inc · Foundation Rolling · Up to $500 The UW/211 ALICE Program provides mini-grants to households facing financial difficulties. This is a collaborative effort with the Human Services Coalition.	Rolling	Up to $500
Riverside County Nonprofit Assistance Fund Inland Empire Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $3K – $10K Financial support to nonprofits experiencing loss of revenue due to COVID-19 crisis	Not published	$3K – $10K
Cash for Housing Security 4-CT Corp · Foundation Not published · Varies Program details to be announced. This is a forthcoming initiative from 4-CT focused on providing cash assistance for housing security.	Not published	Varies
Newark Arts Community Grant (NACG) Newark Arts Council · Foundation Not published · $1K A need-based mini-grant program providing essential financial support to individual artists residing in Newark, New Jersey. The program is designed to promote the vibrant and diverse creative community within Newark.	Not published	$1K

Showing 1057–1080 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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