Free Grants for Patients & Families

free grants for cancer patients
This page was originally published January 9, 2018 and updated February 15, 2024.

Free Grants for Cancer Patients & Families

If you are living with a cancer diagnosis and 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 USA, are accepting applications, and there is never a fee to apply.

These listings below are updated daily and include wonderful 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.

Other important national nonprofit sources of financial assistance for cancer patients include these Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Programs and Co-Pay Relief Programs. Please be sure to check out these programs as well to get the financial help you need. ❤️

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Cancer Cartel Grant Program

Cancer Cartel Grant Program

Main URL: Visit

Description:

The Cancer Cartel provides grants to cancer patients in the USA who are either in active treatment or have had cancer treatment within the last 12 months. This national grant program offers funding for unmet expenses including housing, household expenses, food, travel (fuel/lodging), and childcare. To apply, please visit this link.


Bright Spot Network Free Grant for Cancer Patients

Bright Spot Network Grant

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Bright Spot Network offers free annual grants up to $500 for cancer patients in the USA active treatment who are caring for at least one child age 6 and under.  Funds are available to cover things like living expenses, childcare, healthcare and more. To apply, please visit this page for the online application form.


VOI_Free_Grants_for_Cancer_Patients

Vital Options International Grant Program

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (800) 518-2354
Email: DDuplay@VitalOptions.org

Description:

The Selma Schimmel Vital Grant Program, by Vital Options International and its partner associations, awards monetary grants for food, housing, transportation, and other expenses to those facing significant financial hardship due to serious conditions including cancer. Grant awards vary based on financial need. To complete the online form for assistance, please visit this link on the Vital Options International website.


CRLF Grant for Cancer Patients

CRLF Grant

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Cancer Research & Life Foundation is a national nonprofit that provides grants to cancer patients in the USA to help with treatment-related out-of-pocket costs for things like airfare, housing, and healthcare expenses. Eligibility is based on financial need. Proof of illness and income will be required. To apply, please visit this link.


Join the Flock Grant Program

Join the Flock Housing Grant Program

Main URL: Visit
Email: info@jointheflockinc.org

Description:

Join the Flock is a national nonprofit organization that provides financial relief to families impacted by cancer through gifted mortgage payment grants. If your family has experienced financial hardship due to a cancer diagnosis and you are a USA resident, please visit this link to apply.


Free 1UPONCANCER Grant for Cancer Patients

1 Upon Cancer Grants

Main URL: Visit

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 here on the website.


Mom Bomb Grants for Mothers

Mom Bomb Grant Program

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Mom Bomb is a national nonprofit organization that provides mothers in the USA facing financial hardship due to serious illness like cancer with grants to help with household expenses including meals, childcare, housecleaning and laundry services. To apply for this national grant program, please complete the online form on the Mom Bomb website.


Paw Program for Cancer Patients

Pet Assistance & Wellness Grant

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (800) 813-4673 (M-Th 10AM-6PM, Fri 10AM-5PM ET)

Description:

Free grant program by the national nonprofit CancerCare is available to cancer patients in the USA who are in active treatment have uncovered pet-related expenses including food, pet walking, pet sitting, pet care, boarding, vet bills (vaccines, flea and heartworm prevention, etc.) and more. Eligibility is based on financial need.  Please call the number above during stated business hours to apply.


Modest Needs Cancer Grant

Modest Needs Foundation

Main URL: Visit
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 online application form, please visit this page on the Modest Needs website.


COC Grant for Cancer Patients

The COC Dollars Allocated to Assist (DATA) Grant

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (614) 212-4131
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 active cancer treatment. To apply, click this link and head to the bottom of this page for the Dollars Allocated to Assist (DATA) application download. Completed applications can be emailed back to COC using the email address above.


One Catalyst Foundation Grant for Cancer Patients

One Catalyst Foundation Grant

Main URL: Visit

Description:

One Catalyst Foundation provides grants to USA residents who are experiencing financial hardship related to a major medical crisis (including cancer). Eligibility is based on financial need and available funding. Documentation of medical diagnosis and finances are required. To apply, please complete the online form on their website here.


Kamm Cares Free Grants for Cancer Patients

Kamm Cares Foundation Grant

Main URL: Visit

Description:

The Kamm Cares Foundation provides grants to cancer patients in the USA to help cover household expenses during treatment. Eligible expenses include food, travel, transportation, childcare, and more. Proof of diagnosis is required and funds are based on financial need. To apply, please visit this link and complete the online application on the Kamm Cares website.


Fight4Cure Grants for Cancer Patients

Fight 4 Cure Grant Program

Main URL: Visit

Description:

The Fight 4 Cure Patient Aid Program provides a one-time $100.00 financial assistance grant to cancer patients throughout the USA. Grants must be used to offset expenses such as food, housing, utilities, etc. while in active treatment. Eligibility is based on funding and proof of diagnosis will be required. To apply for this grant program, please complete this application on the Fight 4 Cure website.


NatCaf Free Grant Program for Cancer Patients

National Cancer Assistance Foundation Grants

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (866) 413-5789
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 and when completed faxed to (941) 296-7638.


Cancer Related Behavioral Health Grant

Cancer-Related Behavioral Health Fund

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (800) 675-8416
Email: Grants@HealthWellfoundation.org

Description:

Grant program that funds the unreimbursed costs associated with counseling and transportation needed to manage cancer-related behavioral health issues. Applicants must be insured residents of the USA with a total household income not to exceed 500% of Federal Poverty Level. Maximum award is $2000 per year. To apply, please visit this link.


Family Reach Grant Program

Family Reach Emergency Relief Grant Fund

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (973) 394-1411

Description:

The Family Reach Emergency Relief Grant Fund is available to cancer patients in the USA to cover non-medical, everyday living expenses such as mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, and transportation costs. Applicants must be within one year of last treatment and have demonstrated financial need. Your doctor must also submit medical documentation to qualify. Please visit this link to start your application.


More Moments More Memories Fund

More Moments More Memories Clinical Trials Fund

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Clinical trial expense funding for cancer patients in the USA. Eligibility is based on financial need. Applicants must earn 500% of FPL or less to qualify. The clinical trial treatment must be in the contiguous United States. Expenses covered include mileage costs for auto travel to clinical trial, airfare or bus fare to clinical trial site, lodging cost during travel and treatment, and a per-day allowance for food during travel and treatment. To apply, please download the application here.


Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Emergency Rental Assistance program with federal funds through the Department of the Treasury as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Grant funds pay for up to 18 months of housing rental costs for residents in all states in the USA with financial need. If you are having trouble paying your rent, please visit this link to locate your state program and apply online.


Help Me Bounce Grant Program for Cancer Patients

Help Me Bounce Financial Grants

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Grants for families in the USA experiencing financial hardship due to critical medical illness. All applicants must work with their hospital social worker who will provide proof of health status. Grants are sourced from crowdfunding platform. 100% of donations go to recipient. Eligibility is based on funding and demonstrated financial need. To apply, please visit this page.


Weatherization Assistance Grant

Weatherization Assistance Grant

Main URL: Visit

Description:

The U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Grant makes energy-efficiency repairs to low-income renters and homeowners in the USA. Grant maximum of approximately $8000 for repairs. Households at or below 200% of the poverty income guidelines (or 60% of state-median income) may qualify. To locate your state program and apply online for this housing repair grant, please visit this link.


Emergency Solutions Grant

HUD Emergency Solutions Grant

Main URL: Visit

Description:

The HUD Emergency Solutions Grant provides help for low-income renters in the USA at immediate risk of homelessness. Includes funding for short-term rental assistance, payment of rental arrears, advance payment rental deposits, utility deposits and payments, moving costs, mediation, legal services, and more. Must have an annual income that does not exceed 50% of Area Median Income to qualify. Visit this link to locate your local program and apply online.


Keep Swimming Financial Grant for Cancer Patients

Keep Swimming Foundation Grant

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Keep Swimming Foundation provides relief to families of critically ill patients in the USA who require extended inpatient medical care at an accredited hospital through grants. Hospital stays must exceed 21 days. Eligibility is based on financial need and proof will be required. To apply for this financial grant program, please visit this link.


lazarex-logo

Lazarex Cancer Foundation

Main URL: Visit
Phone: (877) 866-9523
Contact: Get in Touch

Description:

Lazarex will match you to a nationwide cancer clinical trials program and help you with the costs associated with participating including transportation (airfare, gas, rental cars, taxi fare, parking/tolls), lodging (short- and long-term housing), and certain medical expenses not covered by insurance and necessary for clinical trial treatment. For immediate free assistance, visit this link or call toll free (877) 866-9523.


Netwish Free Grants

NetWish

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Net Wish provides direct and immediate assistance to families and individuals in the USA 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 this request page on the Netwish website.


The Andre Sobel Grant for Cancer Patients

The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation

Main URL: Visit
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 have your social worker complete this online form.


Cancer in the Family Relief Fund

Cancer in the Family Relief Fund

Main URL: Visit

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.” To request assistance, please complete the contact form on the website.


Ink Against Cancer Grants

Ink Against Cancer Grant

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Ink Against Cancer-Cancer Warriors Foundation is a national nonprofit that provides financial support grants to cover daily living expenses to eligible cancer patients in the USA who can provide proof of diagnosis and demonstrated financial need. To apply for this national grant program, please complete the request form here on the Ink Against Cancer-Cancer Warriors Foundation website.


TANF Financial Assistance

Temporary Assistance Grant

Main URL: Visit

Description:

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are federal grants provided to low-income families in the USA caring for children in the household who are under 18. This monthly cash-based grant awards program helps those who are having trouble meeting monthly expenses.  To check your eligibility and apply online, please visit this link.


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10 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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?

  5. My husband was diagnosed with a large B cell lymphoma is there any kind of help

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