If you are struggling with affording both your cancer treatment and personal expenses, free grant money can help. Our directory of free grants for cancer patients and families includes many private, non-profit organizations that offer monetary grants to help you with expenses during cancer treatment and even afterwards. All of the programs below are open to cancer patients and families in the US, accepting applications, and there is never a fee to apply.
These listings below are updated daily and include both nonprofit and private organizations whose mission is to ease the financial burden for cancer patients through free grants. Remember, grants are money and goods that do not have to be paid back and are provided by the agencies below to help ease the burden of a cancer diagnosis. Never pay a fee to apply for a grant. The grants we’ve included here range from $200 to $5000 or more. Review each program’s description below for specifics.
Please review each program’s link for specific eligibility, the application process, and deadlines. If you find an error in any listing, please get in touch here to report it.
Vital Options International Grant Program
Description:
The Selma Schimmel Vital Grant Program, by Vital Options International and its partner associations, awards monetary grants for groceries, transportation, and other expenses to those facing financial hardship due to serious conditions including cancer. To complete the online form for assistance, visit this link: https://www.vitaloptions.org/vital-grant-form/.
HeadStrong Foundation Grant
Email: support@headstrong.org
Description:
Grant program for cancer patients in the USA in active treatment with demonstrated financial need and need help covering essential expenses. To apply, please complete this form https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/CLQMmlFFhrUOBuqKulUdwQ or email support@HEADstrong.org for help applying from a HeadStrong patient care specialist.
National Cancer Assistance Foundation Grants
Email: requests@natcaf.org
Description:
Financial assistance grants for the non-medical costs of getting a patient to treatment and other living expenses. Applicant must live in the USA and meet annual income limits of no more than $77,925 for a family of four. Application can be downloaded here in PDF form: https://natcaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/NCAF_Financial_Request.pdf and when completed faxed to (941) 296-7638.
1 Upon Cancer Grants
Description:
Direct financial assistance grants for adults in the United States currently undergoing any type of cancer treatment and having trouble covering medical expenses. Grants are paid directly to the agency or program providing the medical services not to the patient. Amounts vary based on need and current program funding. Applications are open on a quarterly basis. To apply, please complete this application: https://www.1uponcancer.org/help/.
The COC Dollars Allocated to Assist (DATA) Grant
Phone: (614) 516-0966
Email: info@thecoccares.org
Description:
The Dollars Allocated to Assist (DATA) Grant Program accepts applications year round for financial assistance and is available to anyone in the USA in current cancer treatment. To apply, click this link and head to the bottom of the page for the Dollars Allocated to Assist (DATA) application download: https://www.thecoccares.org/receive-support. Completed applications can be emailed back to COC using the email address above.
Charles Thide Foundation
Description:
The Charles Thide Foundation provides monetary grants to help patients and families having a difficult time financially because of a cancer diagnosis. The amount of the award varies based on need. The Foundation accepts requests year round and anyone living in the USA with any type of cancer is eligible to apply. For more information and to download the PDF application, please visit this link: http://www.charlesthidefoundation.org/apply-for-a-grant.html.
Modest Needs Foundation
Phone: (844) 667-3776
Email: doiqualify@modestneeds.org
Description:
Provides provide short-term financial assistance to individuals and families in temporary crisis. The amount awarded varies based on applicant circumstance but according to their website averages between $750.00 and $1,250. For eligibility and more visit https://www.modestneeds.org/about-us/grants-types-self-sufficiency.asp. For online application see https://www.modestneeds.org/for-applicants/.
Net Wish
Description:
Net Wish provides direct and immediate assistance to families and individuals who require a modest helping hand of $200.00 and have been doing so since 2002. This program is available to all US residents who have unmet financial needs. Grants are provided in the form of pre-paid credit cards. To apply, please visit http://netwish.org.
The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation
Email: info@andreriveroflife.org
Description:
The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation offers an annual essay award for survivors of catastrophic illness. In addition, this program also provides financial assistance for single-parent families with urgent everyday expenses so that the parent may remain by the child’s bedside during catastrophic illness. Grant amounts vary. For more information and applications, email info@andreriveroflife.org or visit https://compassioncantwait.org/social-worker-form/.
Cancer in the Family Relief Fund
Description:
Grants ranging from $300 to $500 for a child’s extracurricular activities during his or her parent’s cancer treatment. From the website, “Whether a family is experiencing a financial crisis resulting from a diagnosis, or they just need some extra funds for luxuries because every extra dollar is going to medication costs… we want to help. We want to encourage and facilitate each child’s passion whether it be sports, music, art or any other activity.” For current program availability and application, visit http://www.cancerfamilyrelieffund.org/Success.html.
I always heard of the big name organizations doing these things but then you try to get more information and they send you jumping through hoops! This is the first time I am hearing of most of these and I think it is fantastic they offer grants to help people chase their dreams.
We agree, Candace! It is so nice to see organizations like the ones we list here make it as easy and quick as possible to get the help needed.
I am 50 years old and have been diagnosed with esophogeal cancer. Are there any grants ot assistance for someone my age? I have a wife and three children, we really need help.
Hi Mickey,
So very sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. We list many grant programs here: https://cancercarenews.com/more-cancer-freebies/grants/. Please also take a look at the free financial assistance programs on this page, too: https://cancercarenews.com/category/free-financial-help-for-cancer-patients/. One other thing to do is work one-on-one with a care navigator who can help you with personalized services available to you in your area. We list free care navigator programs in this section of the website: https://cancercarenews.com/free-counseling-for-cancer-patients/professional-support/. Thank you for reaching out and all the best to you and your family, Mickey.
I was recently diagnosised with ALL.Im looking for some finicial help with my medical bills.Im not working only my husband.However do draw disablity but it doesnt cover the bills I have.
So very sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. Please contact these free financial assistance programs: https://cancercarenews.com/category/free-financial-help-for-cancer-patients/. Also please consider working with a patient care advocate who can help you get the help you need. We list free programs in this section of the website: https://cancercarenews.com/free-counseling-for-cancer-patients/professional-support/. We sincerely hope these free services help you.
hello, my mother was recently diagnose with breast cancer and she’s starting her treatment. This is getting to be very expensive with all the test and procedures.Does anyone know of any help she can get in Florida?
Claudia, all of the programs listed on the website are available nationwide for free to cancer patients and families. For grants that don’t have to be paid back see the links here: https://cancercarenews.com/more-cancer-freebies/grants/. For help covering costs of out-of-pocket medical expenses, mortgage, legal, and utilities please see these agencies that offer free help to cancer patients: https://cancercarenews.com/category/free-financial-help-for-cancer-patients/. We wish your family well and sincerely hope these resources help you during this difficult time.