Five Grants to Help Families in Low-Income Households
Not being able to afford certain necessities has been an issue for families in the U.S. for quite some time, but COVID-19 has only exacerbated the problem. Many households have members who are unemployed or lost hours at their jobs due to the pandemic. This loss of income has led to many families unable to afford food, rent, utilities, and other basic expenses.
Tips for Individuals Looking for Grants
GrantWatch has an option to choose grants specifically for individuals as the recipient. Libby Hikind, founder and CEO of GrantWatch, suggests that individuals choose the $18 subscription plan for one week and turn off the auto-renew after paying.
An individual looking for a grant needs to locate that one grant and apply immediately. Grant funds for individuals are offered and dry up very quickly. Libby further advises, when you find a grant where you meet all of the eligibility criteria, do not put it on your to-do list for another day. Apply immediately to only legitimate grants such as the grants on our site. Be careful of scams on social media of someone pretending to be a company that they are not. You can always call our office or write to us. Because if something seems to good to be true on social media, it probably is.
Individuals should continue to check this recipient category for future grants and re-subscribe when something becomes available. Unlike nonprofits and businesses, individuals are not continuously searching for multiple grants throughout the year to develop a program that serves the multitude of people.
In 2020, the National Low Income Housing Coalition reported that 46 percent of low-income adults were having trouble paying bills, and 32 percent were unable to pay rent or mortgage. The report also showed that 44 percent of these lower-income adults had to use money from savings and retirement accounts.
This financial hardship has also had affect on the children in these households. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, 38 percent of children live in low-income families. Low-income families include any household whose income is less than twice the federal poverty threshold.
What Can Be Done to Help?
In order to ensure families get assistance, it is imperative the nonprofits that help low-income families continue their work. Grants are a good way to get funding for these organizations. There are also grants for individuals and families directly that provide financial assistance for essentials such as groceries, utilities, rent, and medical treatment. Below, are four grants that go toward helping families.
For individuals who want to help, donating to these organizations is also an option. Whether donating to your local food bank, volunteering at a local shelter, or looking out for neighbors, there are many ways to make a difference.
Four Grants to Help Families
- Funding is available for U.S. and Canada individuals and families with low-income for financial assistance. Types of assistance include financial support to offset emergency expenses or to cover the cost of regular monthly bills. Funding is for workers and households that are bordering poverty-level.
- In addition, grants of up to $5,000 are available to U.S. children and youth for financial assistance with the cost of medical treatments. Funding is to address the medical needs of children in low-income families.
- There are also grants available to U.S. eligible employees impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Funding is for financial assistance to full-time and part-time employees and families who have lost income.
- Grants tare available to U.S. eligible musicians and families facing financial difficulties due to medical concerns. Funding is to address a range of medical and dental expenses. It is also for expenses related to acute, chronic, and preventive health issues, as well as funeral and burial expenses. Funding is specifically for blues musicians and family members.
- Finally, there are grants of up to $150 to U.S. families to provide access to youth sports programs. Funding is to provide scholarships for sports participation to children ages 4-18. The goal of the program is to encourage youth from income-restricted families to participate in multiple sports in order to develop well-rounded skills, physical conditioning, and diverse social connections.
GrantNews Notes
GrantWatch also has categories for housing, nutrition, and children over at GrantWatch.com. Make sure to sign up for a paid subscription to GrantWatch to gain access to all of our tools for grant seekers.