Grant Application
Find the Support You Need
Complete our simple application process so you and your loved ones in the Midwestern states of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan can find assistance as soon as possible.
How to Apply
Applying for a grant can be complex and time-consuming. We design our applications with this in mind, keeping them straightforward and simple.
To get started, find a grant that most closely fits your situation and needs. You’ll then download the application, fill out the requested information and submit it to us.
Our team then engages in a rapid review process of your application. We typically notify applicants between 10 and 15 business days with the results. If approved, we’ll move the process forward in a timely manner. Whether you need help selecting a grant or have questions about the application, we’re here to help. Send a message to our team and we’ll be happy to guide you through any stage of the application process.
Step 1
Fill Out an Application
Prepare for your application by having your personal and financial information at hand. If you need support, connect with our team and we’ll answer your questions.
Step 2
Send Your Application
Ensure the information you’ve filled out in your application is accurate to the best of your knowledge before submitting.
Step 3
Wait for a Notification Letter
Depending on the type of grant and amount of assistance requested, our team will notify you of your application status within 15 days.
Find The Right Grant For You
We offer multiple grants to serve a diverse number of needs. Read through the descriptions to find a grant that closely matches your situation.
Funding For Specific Services
- Final wishes for terminally-ill hospice patients
- Grief camps for children, teens, and adults
- Bereavement support activities
- Support for hospice workers
- Educational events about the importance of hospice care
- Charitable contributions
- Other
Funeral Assistance
- Expenses for funeral and memorial services
- Cremation and burial costs
Grant FAQs
How much time will it take to fill out the application?
This will depend on which application you are completing and what is being requested.
Who can apply for a grant?
Hospice patients, their loved ones, hospice employees, and hospice-related non-profit organizations based in the Midwestern states of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan may be eligible for grants to assist with certain needs. Please contact us for more information.
How do I submit my application?
You may email or mail your application to us. Instructions can be found on the application form. We no longer accept applications by fax.
Once I submit my application, how long will it take until I find out the status?
You can expect to receive notification generally between 10 and 15 business days after you submitted your application. Notification for emergency requests generally occurs within 72 hours of application submission.
What do you define as an emergency grant request?
There are two instances where a grant request is an emergency:
- A final wish request where the hospice patient is declining and is not expected to live more than a couple of days.
- A funeral assistance request where the funeral home requires payment before they will take the deceased patient into their care. However, please keep in mind that funeral assistance grants from Hospice Support Foundation are conservative amounts and will likely not cover the full amount of a direct cremation, even in an emergency situation.
How will I learn if my application has been approved or denied?
We’ll provide you with a letter by email or by mail notifying you of the results of your application.
Can I apply for more than one grant?
You may submit more than one application. However, Hospice Support Foundation is a one-time-only grant award foundation. If your application is approved, you will receive a grant award for only one of your applications.
What happens if I fill out the application incorrectly?
Our goal is to help you as quickly as possible because we know that time is precious. It’s best to fill out the application as fully and accurately as possible before submitting it. Incomplete or incorrectly completed forms will cause delays in the review process. You may always call or email us if you have questions.
Does Hospice Support Foundation provide assistance to pay for a hospice patient’s room and board at a nursing home, hospice house or other residential care facility?
Hospice Support Foundation is unable to provide assistance for room and board costs at a nursing facility, hospice house or other residential facility. Our charitable funds are reserved for other non-hospice related expenses that are described in the Areas of Support section of our ‘About’ page.
Does Hospice Support Foundation pay for hospice care?
Hospice Support Foundation does not pay for hospice care services. Hospice care is a covered benefit under Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans with little to no out-of-pocket costs for patients and their families, allowing patients and loved ones to focus on comfort, quality of life and time together.
Hospice Support Foundation provides assistance for non-hospice related expenses that are described in the Areas of Support section of our ‘About’ page.
What is a final wish?
A final wish must come from the hospice patient and be something that the hospice patient wishes for him or herself. It cannot be a wish that someone else has for the patient. Others can assist the hospice patient with applying, but the wish needs to be that of the patient’s. If the wish is approved, Hospice Support Foundation will carry it out.
A final wish can range from a simple wish, such as the comfort of a robotic pet or a bird feeder outside the patient’s window, to a bigger wish, such as attending a favorite sporting event, a fancy dinner out with loved ones or an early holiday celebration, to name a few examples.
We are not able to provide support for a wish that took place before our review process has been completed and a decision has been communicated.
Who is eligible for funeral assistance?
For funeral assistance applications, we consider the hospice patient to be the “applicant” whether applying before or after the death has occurred.
The “applicant” must be or have been on hospice services at the time of applying or at the time of death in order to qualify for assistance.
The hospice patient must be an active Medicaid participant at the time of applying or at the time of passing and must be able to provide documented proof (see application form for specific document requirement).
The hospice patient must be receiving or have been receiving hospice care at the time of passing within the Midwestern states we list on our website.
Other outside sources, such as local, County or State government programs or Veterans programs must be applied to first before applying to Hospice Support Foundation. We understand this may mean that the death must occur first before applying.
Will funeral assistance awards from Hospice Support Foundation cover the full amount of a cremation or burial?
It is very unlikely that our funeral assistance awards will cover the full amount of after death care. Award amounts fall well under most cremation society-level direct cremation costs, which can tend to be less costly than funeral home direct cremation costs.
Our funeral assistance awards may be applied to full burials, however, it should be noted that our awards are based on direct cremation rates and will, therefore, not likely have a meaningful impact on the amount of a full burial.