Hardship Grants

Last updated October 25, 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

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
BELN Scholarship Bitterroot Early Learning Network · Foundation Not published · Varies The BELN Scholarship was created to fill gaps that state funding does not fully cover, helping families already enrolled in BELN programs access wraparound support and stay connected to high-quality care.	Not published	Varies
Emergency Grants The Merchants Fund of Philadelphia · Foundation Not published · Varies Emergency grants are available to Philadelphia small business owners facing urgent challenges or crises affecting their operations.	Not published	Varies
Critical Needs List (Community Foundation Tampa Bay) Community Foundation of Tampa Bay Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies The Critical Needs List lets nonprofits share one-time, urgent and unexpected needs that impede mission-critical programming; this is not a competitive grant process but a rolling submission open throughout the year.	Rolling	Varies
Emergency/Contingency Grants The Junior League of Houston Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Distribution of monetary grants to address the emergency or short-term needs of tax exempt agencies. The Junior League of Houston, Inc.	Not published	Varies
Temporary Cash Assistance Maryland Department of Human Services · State Not published · Varies To provide financial aid to needy children and their caregiver relatives while helping the family move forward independence	Not published	Varies
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis Fund Grant Healthwell Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $8K The Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis Fund, established by the HealthWell Foundation, aims to alleviate financial burdens for underinsured patients facing chronic illnesses.	Not published	Up to $8K
Caring for Students Fund Nebraska Methodist Hospital Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K To provide emergency financial assistance for Nebraska Methodist College students facing unexpected financial hardship	Not published	$1K
Progress, Accomplishment, Thriving, Hope (PATH) Scholarship Grant Ellucian Foundation · Foundation Not published · $2K – $25K The PATH Scholarship, established by the Ellucian Foundation in 2020, aims to support higher education institutions in assisting students facing financial hardships. With over $2.9 million awarded, it has benefited more than 3,100 students.	Not published	$2K – $25K
Scare Away Cancer Financial Assistance Program Scawca Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies	Rolling	Varies
Brynne Smith Scholarship Fund Camp Tamarack · Foundation Not published · Varies Camp Tamarack offers need-based scholarships through the Brynne Smith Scholarship Fund to help families afford summer camp. Funding comes from the May Match Fundraiser, individual donations, and grants.	Not published	Varies
CCH Mutual Aid Fund Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 Provide emergency financial assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness for immediate needs such as safe housing, food, or medication	Not published	Up to $500
SIOP Caregiver Support Grant Society for Industrial · Foundation Not published · $500 The SIOP Caregiver Support Grant aims to alleviate caregiving costs for active SIOP members attending the annual conference. Eligible caregivers can receive $500 to support their financial needs related to caregiving.	Not published	$500
Special Angels Foundation Grant Special Angels Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Special Angels Foundation Grant provides essential support for children with special needs, focusing on accessible therapy within established networks. Due to high demand, applications from outside California are temporarily suspended.	Not published	Varies
Nyah's Angels Fund (Funeral Assistance for Stillborn Loss) Whitley County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies An endowment fund established to assist single mothers from Whitley County who have experienced the loss of a baby due to stillborn birth and face financial burden of funeral expenses.	Rolling	Varies
Cushing's Disease or Cushing's Syndrome Fund Grant Healthwell Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Cushing's Disease or Cushing's Syndrome Fund, operated by the HealthWell Foundation, provides vital financial assistance to underinsured patients facing high medical costs associated with these conditions.	Not published	Up to $10K
Staff Support - Employee Appreciation Fund and Emergency Assistance Columbia Vantage Point Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies One-time funds available to meet staff financial emergencies. Additionally, the Foundation processes funds raised annually by the Residents' Association as year-end appreciation gifts to staff.	Not published	Varies
COVID-19 Financial Relief Grant for Veterans International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 343 · Foundation Not published · $1K Provides one-time financial relief to veterans or surviving spouses who are negatively impacted by COVID-19 and experiencing financial constraints.	Not published	$1K
The Jenna’s Rainbow Moving Forward Grant Children's Brain Tumor Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Jenna’s Rainbow Moving Forward Grant, offered by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, provides crucial financial assistance to adult survivors of brain or spinal cord tumors.	Not published	Varies
ADA Foundation Charitable Assistance Grants - Emergency Grants American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The ADA Foundation Charitable Assistance Grants provide critical financial support to dentists and their families facing hardships due to medical conditions or accidents.	Not published	Up to $5K
BCF Safety Net Grant Program Brookline Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Up to $25K Provides critical, urgent assistance to help neighbors in crisis cover the cost of essentials such as rent, food, utilities, child care and more.	Rolling	Up to $25K
LIFE Center Fund Grant The Oregon Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The LIFE Center Fund Grant, established by the Oregon Community Foundation in 2005, provides crucial support through two-year grants of up to $10,000 per year for food, clothing, and hygiene assistance to residents in North, Northeast, and…	Not published	Up to $10K
Young Artists Relief Fund American Friends of the Paris Opera & Ballet · Foundation Not published · $3K AFPOB created a special emergency fund to provide support for deserving young dancers and singers facing financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis.	Not published	$3K
Marshfield Area COVID-19 Relief Fund Marshfield Area Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies A collaborative relief fund created to support community organizations and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Simplifies giving during crisis and directs funds where need is greatest	Not published	Varies
The Deanna Zeitlow Crohn's Disease Assistance Fund McPherson County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 – $1K	Not published	$500 – $1K

Showing 121–144 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 25, 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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