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.

1,168 grants
Foundation
Updated daily
TRANS WOMEN IN NEED OF SERVICES INC · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Transinclusive Emergency Crisis Fund (TECF) Organization: Trans Women in Need of Services Inc (TransInclusive Group) Established: 2019 Purpose: Provide mutual aid financial assistance to transgender,…

KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Tri Kappa Memorial Fund Geographic Scope: Indiana (State Level) Background: Since its formal funding in 1961, the Tri Kappa Memorial Fund has provided assistance to Indiana college students facing…

PEN AMERICAN CENTER INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

U.S. Writers Aid Initiative Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: PEN America Last Updated: March 08, 2026 Summary Easily learn more about the U.S. The next deadline for this grant is Mon, 15 Jun 2026.…

US $5,000 - US $10,000
Unitedhealthcare Children's Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

UHCCF Medical Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Unitedhealthcare Children's Foundation Amount: US $5,000 - US $10,000 Last Updated: September 20, 2025 Summary The UHCCF Medical Grant provides financial…

CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS HOUSING ALLIANCE · Rolling / Open Foundation

Unemployment Insurance Application Assistance Program Type: Free assistance service with unemployment benefits applications Geographic Scope: Central Massachusetts / Worcester area Overview: Free…

INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Union Plus Job Loss Grants Overview: Financial assistance grants for Union Plus credit card holders experiencing job loss, strikes, furloughs, or other financial hardships. Geographic Scope: United…

HAMOT HEALTH FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

United Charities Employee Emergency Assistance Program Program Overview: Financial assistance for UPMC Hamot employees experiencing emergencies and hardships. Geographic Scope: - UPMC Hamot employees…

Varied (over $65,000 raised with 22 programs funded)
HEART OF WEST MICHIGAN UNITED WAY · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

United Response Fund Overview: An emergency response fund activated by Heart of West Michigan United Way to provide rapid support to organizations facing immediate strain during community crises.…

Up to $10,000 match available
UNITED WAY OF THE LAKESHORE · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

United Response Fund Status: Active emergency relief fund Geographic Scope: Muskegon County, Michigan Focus Areas: Emergency food relief and hunger support during crisis periods Key Details: -…

United Way of Bemidji Area · Rolling / Open Foundation

United Way Community Response Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: United Way of Bemidji Area Amount: Up to US $2,500 Last Updated: February 23, 2026 Summary The United Way Community Response Grant aims to…

SHELBY COUNTY UNITED FUND INC · Rolling / Open · One-time Foundation

United Way COVID-19 Economic Relief Grant Funder: Shelby County United Fund (SCUFFY) and Blue River Community Foundation, in partnership with Lilly Endowment, Inc. and Indiana United Ways Award…

UNITED WAY OF GREATER ST LOUIS INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

United Way of Greater St. Louis Targeted Funding Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: United Way Of Greater St Louis Inc Amount: Up to US $100,000 Last Updated: September 15, 2025 Summary The United Way of…

UNITED WAY OF THE BLUEGRASS INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview _NOTE: The Fund will support two separate Grants: the Single-County (or “Local”) Basic Needs Grant and the Multi-County (or “Regional”) Basic Needs Grant._ * _Here is the [Basic Needs…

Up to $500 per qualified household
UNITED WAY OF TOMPKINS COUNTY INC · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

United Way/2-1-1 ALICE Program Mini-Grants Current Status: Program is currently on pause as of May 28, 2025. Check back for updates on when the program will be reinstated. Call 211 for information on…

United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties Inc · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

United We Grow™ Manley Scholarship Overview The United We Grow™ Manley Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to women who are working toward a better future through education. This…

UNMANAGEABLE · Rolling / Open Foundation

Unmanageable Giving Circle: Mutual Aid Fund Funder: Unmanageable (Nashville-based nonprofit) Amount: $5,000 available Geographic Scope: Nashville-based artists Focus Areas: Direct financial support…

CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open Foundation

Urgent Needs Fund Funder: Cambridge Community Foundation Geographic Scope: Cambridge, MA Overview: Emergency grantmaking program designed to address urgent community needs. The foundation distributed…

Frequently Asked Questions

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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