We provide direct, immediate, one-time financial assistance to individuals and families facing a crisis or emergency.

By providing funds at critical times, we aim to help recipients avoid extreme hardship and also help keep them from entering the downward spiral of poverty.

Most of our recipients are low-income adults who, because of a crisis or emergency, cannot afford:

a car repair, a heating bill, a medical prescription or examination, a monthly bus pass, a deposit on an apartment, a rental payment in the face of eviction, or some other expense of critical importance.

We often work in cooperation with churches, government agencies, and other nonprofits. At this time of economic hardship, many charities and social service agencies are stretched to the limit. We can provide last-resort assistance for those who have nowhere else to turn.

As part of our process, we invite recipients to consider giving back to the community at a later time when they might feel able to do so.

To ensure that the money is used for the intended purpose, we always pay the service providers, such as landlords, pharmacies, and car repair shops, rather than the individuals themselves.

Can one-time aid really help with serious problems?

In many cases, yes. The money buys time for recipients to find new employment, recover from an illness, apply for housing or food vouchers, or find other solutions. People are creative in helping themselves if given the chance. Also, funding from Give a Little lets people know that the community cares.