Anyone who has ever lived paycheck to paycheck can probably attest to the fact that one unexpected expense, such as a medical bill or a car repair, can ruin a family’s financial well-being. According to their website, “Modest Needs‘ grant programs are designed PRIMARILY to assist individuals and families who generally are able to pay their monthly bills with no help from anyone, who don’t qualify for conventional types of social or charitable assistance, and who are facing a financial crisis because they’ve encountered a single, unexpected expense they just can’t afford on their own.”
Modest Needs offers four different grants:
- Self-Sufficiency Grants: Prevent otherwise financially self-sufficient individuals and families from entering the cycle of poverty, when this might be avoided with a small amount of well-timed financial assistance. For these grants, Modest Needs would make a payment directly to a creditor for an expense on behalf of the individual or family.
- Back-to-work Grants: Restore the financial self-sufficiency of individuals who are willing to work but are temporarily unable to do so because they do not have the means to remit payment for a work-related expense. ModestNeeds.org make a payment for a small work-related fee or expense on behalf of a temporarily unemployed individual.
- Independent Living Grants: Empower permanently disadvantaged individuals who otherwise live within their limited means to continue to live independently, despite a temporary, unexpected financial set-back.
- Non-Profit Grants: Strengthen small non-profit organizations by providing a forum whereby such organizations can apply directly to the general public for the help they need to complete the relatively inexpensive projects that will allow them to better serve their clients and the communities they exist to serve.
Modest Needs is unique because 100% of money given goes to fund grants for those that need it. Another thing I love about this charity is that donors get to choose who their money helps. They can also get “testimonials” from those who received the money and hear how their donation helped another family. To find out more about Modest Needs and to learn more about donating please visit ModestNeeds.org and their questions & answers page.
Carol@inthetrenches says
Thanks for the tip. Looking forward to checking out their site. It sounds like they are trying to help those who are willing to help themselves and just need a little extra.
Khaleef @ KNS Financial says
This seems like a great idea. They are not about creating “moochers”, but helping people who sincerely need it and are trying to make it on their own!