While most foundation grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations, some foundations do make grants to individuals for a variety of purposes.
Each of the Foundation Center's five libraries has materials of interest to individual grantseekers seeking help for emergency medical expenses. Information on grantmakers for individuals is available in two formats that may be helpful in your search for foundation funding. They are:
The print resource includes a section on grants for "General Welfare," which lists sources for grants, loans, and services provided by foundations on an emergency or long-term basis for personal, living, or medical expenses. You should also look in the Type of Support Index in the back of the book under the heading "Grants for special needs." We also recommend browsing the Subject Index for any terms that apply to you.
You could also try the electronic equivalent, the Foundation Grants to Individuals Online. This database enables you to search through more than 6,000 foundations and public charities that give to individuals. You should begin by searching the term "Medical Expenses" or other appropriate terms in the text search field.
Foundation Grants to Individuals, in both formats, includes information on grantmakers giving to individuals for personal, living and medical expenses, research and education, and for the arts and sciences. Information about how to apply for funding from each foundation is included. All Foundation Center libraries and Cooperating Collections provide free public access to the print version of Foundation Grants to Individuals, and some may have the online version as well. Call 1-800-424-9836 for the location nearest you. These resources also may be purchased through the Marketplace.
If you are unable to pay a visit to one of the Foundation Center libraries or Cooperating Collections, due to a disability, the Foundation Center will lend Center-issued publications and selected publications by other publishers for a period of about two weeks. To inquire about this service, please call our toll-free number (1-800-424-9836).
The research process we recommend takes time, and we realize that you may need the funds urgently. Besides foundations there may be other sources of funding in your area, including government agencies, local organizations, and gifts or loans from individual philanthropists. It is a good idea to contact the offices of your city councilperson and your state senator/representative for additional information. For a list of support groups, refer to HealthBoards.com.
You can also explore the possibility of posting your need on ModestNeeds.org. ModestNeeds.org is a public charity dedicated to helping "hard-working, low-income households to afford the kinds of short-term emergency expenses that we've all encountered." To learn more and see if you qualify, please visit the ModestNeeds.org "Questions and Answers for Applicants" webpage.
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