Hardship Grants

Last updated November 14, 2026

Grantable tracks 1,189 active hardship grants in its free grants database, drawn from foundation sources and updated daily. 40 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 464 list an award amount, with a median of $2,500.

Grants tracked: 1,189; from 899 funders
Median award: $2,500; middle half $1,000–$10K
Total listed funding: $27.8M; across 464 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 286; 21 with a published date

On this page: Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
California Fire Foundation FCTC Financial Awards California Fire Foundation · Foundation Rolling · Varies The California Fire Foundation, partnering with the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC), pays CPAT/written-test fees for firefighter candidates who demonstrate financial hardship.	Rolling	Varies
Funds for Women Graduates: Emergency Grant Funds for Women Graduates (FfWG) · Foundation Not published · Up to £2,500 The Funds for Women Graduates: Emergency Grant offers financial assistance of up to £2,500 for graduate women facing unexpected financial crises while studying at approved institutions in Great Britain.	Not published	Up to £2,500
AOH Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund Hibernian Charity · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Power of One Fuel Fund of Maryland Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Created in 2022, this program is designed specifically for single-parent households. It offers specialized one-on-one navigational support with the utility assistance application process at the Fuel Fund of Maryland.	Not published	Varies
Local Funding- Holmberg Foundation Grant Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $2K The Holmberg Foundation Grant supports educational, charitable, and religious needs for economically disadvantaged individuals.	Not published	$2K
The Kessler Emergency Assistance Fund Grant Nebraska Presbyterian Foundation of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies · Foundation Not published · Varies The Kessler Emergency Assistance Fund, established by the Nebraska Presbyterian Foundation in 2018, honors Dr. Silas G. Kessler's legacy of ministry.	Not published	Varies
Delaware Restaurant Foundation Industry Relief Fund Delaware Restaurant Association · Foundation Rolling · $500 The Industry Relief Fund provides immediate emergency grants of $500 directly to Delaware restaurant and foodservice workers facing unanticipated hardship.	Rolling	$500
Art Scherer Memorial Crisis Grant Fund Mid-Atlantic Lutherans in Mission Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K Established by MALIM in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Art Scherer Memorial Crisis Response Fund provides grants to congregations and schools facing unprecedented hardships. Named after MALIM's founding president Rev.	Not published	Up to $5K
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program The Agricultural and Labor Program Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Provides emergency financial assistance and support services to low-income households. Applications may be submitted through the same application portal as LIHEAP.	Not published	Varies
Resilience Fund Whatcom Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Community emergency bounce-back fund that puts philanthropic dollars to work providing emergency assistance (financial support, food, childcare) to the community's most vulnerable neighbors as quickly as possible during crises, including…	Not published	Varies
Sandy Springs Police Benevolent Fund - Grant of Assistance Sandy Springs Police Benevolent Fund · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Sandy Springs Police Benevolent Fund (SSPBF) provides financial assistance to qualified recipients who experience unforeseen circumstances or crises.	Rolling	Varies

Showing 1177–1187 of 1,187

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 1,189 hardship grants Grantable lists as of November 14, 2026, 464 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, 899 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are hardship grants due?

Of 1,189 grants listed, 286 accept applications on a rolling basis, 21 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, 57% 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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