If you’ve been through a difficult situation but you’re actively working toward something better, the Just One More Foundation may be able to help fund your next step.
The foundation offers grants for people who have experienced hardships and have a constructive plan for overcoming their obstacles. Awards typically range from $500 to $10,000, and applications for the second 2026 funding round are open through September 30, 2026.
There’s one important thing to understand before applying, though: this isn’t a cash payment that gets deposited directly into your bank account. If you’re selected, the foundation sends the grant money to a third party connected to your plan, such as a school, service provider or business.
What Is the Just One More Foundation Grant?
The Just One More Foundation provides “second chance” grants to people who have faced hardships and are making meaningful progress toward overcoming them.
The foundation looks for applicants who have:
- Experienced hardship or significant obstacles
- Made meaningful progress
- Developed a clear plan for moving forward
- Demonstrated a willingness to continue putting in the work
- Identified a way financial support could help them reach their goals
The foundation also looks favorably on people whose goals may ultimately help others.
Right now, Just One More has paused its grants to nonprofit organizations and is focusing on individual applicants.
How Much Could I Get?
Individual grant awards typically range from $500 to $10,000.
There isn’t one standard award amount. On the application, you’ll be asked how much you’re requesting and you’ll need to provide an itemized budget showing exactly how much money you need and how it will be spent.
The application also asks you to explain what you hope to accomplish, how you’ll use the grant to achieve that goal and how you’ll measure whether your plan was successful.
Do I Get the Money Directly?
No, and this is an important detail.
The Just One More Foundation specifically says that it does not award the funds directly to individuals.
If you’re selected, you’ll need to identify where the foundation should send the money.
Depending on your situation, that could be:
- A college or school for tuition or educational expenses
- An agency providing you with services
- A business providing supplies or equipment
- Another appropriate organization or provider connected to your approved plan
The application asks for this information upfront, so think about exactly what you need the grant to pay for and who would ultimately receive the payment.
Who Can Apply?
For individual grants, you must:
- Live in the United States
- Plan to carry out the work, education or other activity you’re requesting funding for within the United States
- Have experienced hardship and have a constructive plan for overcoming your obstacles
The foundation accepts one application per individual per funding cycle.
You don’t have to be enrolled in college or a training program to be considered.
However, the foundation says it prefers educational, tuition-based grant requests, including undergraduate, graduate and training programs.
That’s a funding preference, not a separate eligibility requirement.
What Does the Foundation Look For?
This grant isn’t based solely on showing that you need money.
The foundation says it looks for people who are overcoming obstacles, have demonstrated meaningful progress and have a clear plan for continuing their work.
Your application should explain both where you’ve been and where you’re trying to go.
Be prepared to describe:
- The hardship you’ve experienced
- Why you’re requesting assistance
- What you hope to accomplish
- The steps you’ll take to reach that goal
- Your timeline
- The results you’re hoping to achieve
- Exactly how much money you need
- How every part of the requested funding would be spent
Grantees are also required to submit a report at the end of their project.
How Do I Apply?
You can apply through the Just One More Foundation’s Individual Grant application.
Take your time with the application.
Instead of simply describing everything that has gone wrong, connect your hardship to the plan you’re already building. The foundation specifically wants to understand your goals, how you intend to accomplish them and how its funding could help.
You’ll also need an itemized budget, so be specific about what you’re asking the foundation to fund.
When Is the Deadline?
The Just One More Foundation runs two funding cycles each year.
For 2026, the foundation lists:
- First Round: February 1 through March 31, with grantees notified in May
- Second Round: August 1 through September 30, with grantees notified in November
The Second Round 2026 application deadline is September 30, 2026.
That means this current application window is almost over.
When Could I Use the Grant?
This isn’t designed to provide immediate emergency cash.
The foundation specifically tells applicants to make sure they can wait until the applicable award period begins before using the funding.
For the second 2026 funding cycle, grantees are notified in November and the award period begins in November.
If you’re dealing with an expense that has to be paid immediately, keep that timing in mind before relying on this grant.
Is This Still Open Right Now?
Yes.
The Just One More Foundation currently says its application window is open through September 30, 2026.
The current round is focused on individual grants because grants for nonprofit organizations have been paused.
If you miss this round, don’t assume the next application period will use exactly the same dates. The foundation normally operates two funding cycles per year, but check its current grants page for the next officially announced application window.
Relief Recap
If you’ve experienced a hardship and you’re actively working toward a clear plan for moving forward, the Just One More Foundation could provide $500 to $10,000 to help support that plan.
Educational and tuition-based requests receive preference, but they’re not the only applications the foundation considers.
Just remember that this isn’t unrestricted cash paid directly to you. If you’re selected, the foundation sends the money to an appropriate third party connected to your approved request.
The second 2026 application round closes September 30, 2026, with grantees notified in November.
You can learn more and apply through the Just One More Foundation.
