National charities and non-profits that help low-income families
Help with a rent payment, an overdue electric bill, a week of groceries, or a tank of gas often comes from a charity rather than a government office. Non-profit organizations also run free clinics, give away furniture and school supplies, and focus extra support on groups such as veterans, seniors, and single mothers.
This page lists the major national charities, explains how their local offices decide who gets help, and links to a detailed guide for each organization and each type of need. Charities are one option among several. Government programs such as SNAP, LIHEAP, and Medicaid are covered separately in the guide to public assistance.
- Watch for charity scams: A legitimate charity does not charge a fee to apply and does not ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cash app to release a grant. Anyone who promises guaranteed money in exchange for an upfront payment is running a scam. The guide on avoiding financial assistance scams lists the warning signs and what to do if you already paid.
How charity assistance works
Nearly every national charity delivers help through local branches, parishes, or chapters. The national organization sets the mission and the standards. The local office holds the budget and makes the decisions. To ask for help, contact the branch serving your county or city rather than the national headquarters.
Funding comes from donations, which means it may run out. Many offices help people in the order they apply until the money for that month is gone. If one location says no, another location or another charity may still say yes. It is normal to contact several organizations about the same bill.
Have a photo ID, proof of income, and a copy of the bill or notice ready before you call. Some programs also ask for Social Security cards for everyone in the household. Requirements differ from place to place, so confirm what to bring before making a trip.
For a one-time emergency such as a shut-off notice or an eviction warning, a charity is often the faster place to start. Government benefits may take weeks to process, and they work best as ongoing monthly support once approved. Many families use both at the same time.
Major charities that may offer emergency financial help
The organizations are listed in alphabetical order. Each entry links to a full guide covering programs, eligibility, and how to apply.
Assistance League – Local chapters choose their own programs, and many are known for giving school clothing to children along with support for seniors and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities – One of the largest charity networks in the country. Local agencies may offer rent or utility bill help, food, counseling, and case management, and services are open to people of any faith.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Help runs through the bishop of a local congregation and may include groceries from a bishops' storehouse, short-term help with rent or utilities, and free job coaching. You do not need to be a member.
Churches and congregations – Many places of worship keep a small emergency fund, a food pantry, or a clothing closet. The guide to church assistance programs explains how to ask and what congregations typically offer.
Community action agencies – Private non-profits serving nearly every county in the country. Many handle applications for energy bill assistance and also run rent, food, and job programs.
Episcopal churches – Parishes maintain discretionary funds that a priest may use when someone in the community faces a shut-off, an eviction, or an empty pantry.
Foundations – Some private and community foundations make small hardship grants to individuals, often limited to one county or one type of expense such as medical bills.
Funeral Consumers Alliance – A non-profit that teaches families how to lower funeral costs, compare prices, and avoid unnecessary charges. The same guide covers burial assistance programs.
Good Samaritan ministries – Independent local ministries operating under this name run food pantries, thrift shops, and emergency funds in many towns.
Heating oil charities – Fuel funds and oil heat charities may deliver free or discounted heating oil to households in cold-weather states during winter.
International Association of Jewish Free Loans – Member agencies make interest-free loans for emergencies, cars, and other needs, and many lend to people of any faith.
Jewish Federations – Federations fund local family service agencies that may provide emergency financial help, food, and programs for seniors.
Love INC – Short for Love In the Name of Christ, this network links churches in a community so a family can be matched with the congregation best able to meet a specific need.
Lutheran Services in America – A network of Lutheran health and human service organizations whose members offer emergency aid, housing, senior care, and family services.
National Diaper Bank Network – Member diaper banks supply free diapers through local pantries, family programs, and social service agencies.
Net Wish – A small charity funded by an anonymous donor that makes modest one-time grants toward a bill for families with children, seniors, and others facing an emergency expense.
Non-profit law firms – Legal aid offices give free civil legal help with evictions, debt collection lawsuits, benefit denials, and utility disputes.
Operation Homefront – Serves military families and veterans with emergency financial assistance, housing programs, and other support.
The Salvation Army – Corps community centers may help with rent, utility bills, food boxes, clothing, and seasonal programs such as holiday assistance. For many families it is the first call in an emergency.
St. Vincent de Paul – Volunteers called Vincentians typically visit a family at home, in pairs, to understand the situation before helping with rent, utilities, food, or furniture. Sales from the society's thrift stores fund the local assistance.
United Methodist churches – Congregations and Methodist-affiliated community agencies run pantries, emergency funds, and outreach ministries.
United Way – Local United Ways fund community programs and run the 211 information line in many areas, which connects callers to nearby assistance.
Urban League – Affiliates concentrate on jobs, housing counseling, education, and financial coaching, mainly in urban areas.
Volunteers of America – Operates housing, senior, veteran, and emergency service programs across the country.
YMCA – Branches offer income-based rates on memberships, child care, and camps, and some run community food and housing programs.
YWCA – Centers on women and families, with local programs that may include housing, child care, domestic violence services, and job training.
Health care and medical bill help
Charity health care – The overview of free health care explains clinics, hospital programs, insurance options, and medicine help in one place.
Free and charitable clinics – Community health centers and free clinics see patients regardless of insurance, with fees set by income.
Hospital financial assistance – Non-profit hospitals are required to have a financial assistance policy, often called charity care, that may reduce or erase a bill for lower-income patients. The discount is not automatic. You usually need to request an application, and the linked guide shows how.
Free dental care – Dental Lifeline Network, dental schools, and clinic events may provide free or low-cost dental work for people who qualify.
Free eyeglasses – Lions Clubs and similar groups provide free glasses and may cover the cost of an eye exam.
Prescription medicine help – Drug manufacturers run patient assistance programs that may supply medicine at no cost to uninsured patients, and charitable pharmacies serve some communities.
Cancer bill assistance – National non-profits help cancer patients with treatment co-pays, transportation to appointments, and household bills during treatment.
Medical bill charities – Condition-specific foundations may pay medical bills, co-pays, or insurance premiums for patients with certain diagnoses.
Housing help from non-profits
Housing help for single mothers – Some non-profits run housing programs designed for single mothers, including transitional housing and rent support paired with mentoring.
Homesharing programs – Non-profit homeshare services match a homeowner who has a spare room with a renter who needs an affordable place, sometimes trading reduced rent for help around the house.
Habitat for Humanity – Builds and repairs homes in partnership with families who contribute their own labor and pay an affordable mortgage. Apply through your local affiliate, listed at https://www.habitat.org/housing-help.
Home repair programs – Grants and low-cost loans may pay for roof, furnace, and safety repairs for homeowners who qualify.
Volunteer home repairs – Volunteer groups make free repairs and accessibility modifications, most often for seniors and people with disabilities.
Food, clothing and free items
Food banks and pantries – Pantries distribute free groceries, and requirements are usually simple, though they vary by location.
Feeding America – The national food bank network. Its locator identifies the food bank serving each county, which can point you to nearby pantries and meal programs.
Help applying for food benefits – Charities, clinics, and food banks often help families sign up for SNAP, sometimes called food stamps, and for WIC.
Clothing closets – Free clothing programs from churches and non-profits supply school clothes, work outfits, and winter coats.
Charity thrift stores – Stores run by charities sell donated goods at low prices, and some issue free vouchers to families referred by a caseworker.
Furniture banks – Donated beds, tables, and household basics go to families leaving shelters or restarting after a crisis.
Free school supplies – Backpack and supply giveaways run each summer through charities, churches, and retailers.
Christmas assistance – Toy drives, adopt-a-family programs, and holiday meal boxes open for sign-ups in the fall.
American Red Cross – Provides emergency shelter, food, and supplies to families after house fires and larger disasters. Details are at https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief.html.
Transportation and car help
Gas and car repairs from churches – Some congregations give out gas cards or pay for a small repair so a person can keep getting to work.
Free cars from charities – Donated vehicles are awarded to applicants who need transportation for work or family care, often single parents or domestic violence survivors.
Free car repairs – Volunteer mechanic ministries and non-profit garages may fix a vehicle at no charge or for the cost of parts.
Gas vouchers – Emergency fuel vouchers are sometimes available from churches, community action agencies, and social service offices.
Debt, credit and mortgage counseling
Non-profit credit counseling – Counselors review a budget at no charge and may set up a debt management plan that lowers interest rates on credit cards.
Mortgage assistance – Non-profit and government-backed programs may help a homeowner catch up on missed payments or restructure a loan.
Foreclosure counseling – HUD-approved housing counseling agencies advise homeowners behind on a mortgage for free, and using one is safer than paying a company that promises to stop a foreclosure.
Education and job help
Dress for Success – Provides professional clothing, interview coaching, and career support to women entering or returning to the workforce.
Goodwill – Revenue from its stores funds free job training, resume help, and career centers open to the public.
If a charity cannot help
One office saying no does not mean every office will. Funding arrives and runs out on different schedules, so a program that is out of money this month may have funds again the next. Ask the staff member you spoke with for a referral, since caseworkers usually know which nearby programs currently have money.
You can also dial 211 or visit https://www.211.org to speak with a specialist who tracks openings at local agencies. The directory of financial help by state and county on this site lists assistance programs for every area. Questions about a specific charity can be posted in the charity assistance section of the site forum, where moderators and other readers respond.
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