Helping Hands
The Helping Hands program assists individuals and families facing unexpected crises, providing timely, strategic support when a “helping hand” can help restore household stability.
In 2025, Helping Hands supported 6,500 households and students through 36 trusted nonprofit and university partners. While these grants are modest, averaging less than $1,500 per household, they deliver lasting impact. One year after receiving rent assistance, 95% of surveyed recipients remained stably housed. Among student recipients, 86% are either continuing their studies or have graduated. Read our 2025 Impact Summary to learn more.
Helping Hands grants help cover essential expenses such as rent, utilities, and medical costs, stabilizing individuals and families during moments of acute need. When paired with case management and wraparound support, these grants serve as a critical strategic intervention, helping households recover from temporary setbacks and strengthening communities.
Our partner portfolio spans our primary funding regions, Greater New York City, Greater Boston, and Greater Palm Beach County, with select partners serving nationwide.
Reflections on Helping Hands
Lou Gerstner shares the origin of and his vision for the emergency grants program, lessons learned over the past decade, and his belief in the critical importance of the work.
Watch the videoFeatured Grantee
Catholic Charities USA
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), founded in 1910, is the largest private provider of social services in the United States, supporting a national network of 169 member agencies. These organizations deliver a broad range of critical services—including disaster relief, immigration and refugee support, food access, housing assistance, integrated health, and workforce development—tailored to local community needs. CCUSA strengthens its affiliates through funding, technical assistance, and shared infrastructure, enabling consistent and effective service delivery nationwide.
Gerstner Philanthropies began partnering with CCUSA in 2022, initially supporting 15 agencies to help families address one-time, acute financial emergencies. The partnership has since scaled significantly: in 2025, CCUSA’s Helping Hands program reached more than 900 households through 27 agencies. The 2026–27 grant will expand the program to 35 agencies nationwide through a $4.8 million investment.
Helping Hands funds are primarily used to prevent housing instability, with 75% of grants supporting rent assistance. These grants have demonstrated strong outcomes: 98% of rent-grant recipients who responded to follow-up remained stably housed one year later. CCUSA’s effectiveness has been bolstered by a robust peer learning network and internal technology portal that facilitates real-time knowledge sharing, access to tools and training, and more responsive support for families facing crisis.
To learn more, please visit https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/.
Our Grantees
Major Helping Hands Grants
Grants listed below may be from the Gerstner Family Foundation or another Gerstner family philanthropic vehicle. Amounts may reflect cumulative annual grants or multi-year grants. To see annual amounts, please see listings of grants paid each year.
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United Neighborhood Houses
New York, NY | Visit Website
To support Neighborhood-Based Emergency Cash Relief through Settlement Houses
$9,921,725
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Catholic Charities USA
National | Visit Website
To support Housing Stability through CCUSA's Housing Counseling Program.
$8,900,000
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Safe Horizon
New York, NY | Visit Website
To fund the Emergency Client Assistance Program.
$4,810,358
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Adopt-A-Family
Lake Worth, FL | Visit Website
To support the Housing Stabilization Program.
$3,761,500
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The Havens Relief Fund Society
New York, NY | Visit Website
To support the emergency cash grant program.
$3,725,000
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Coalition for the Homeless
New York, NY | Visit Website
To support the emergency cash grant program.
$3,280,000
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Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
White Plains, NY | Visit Website
To support the Eviction Prevention Emergency Assistance Program
$2,864,962
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Part of the Solution
Bronx, NY | Visit Website
To support the Housing Stabilization Program
$2,540,000
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Sanctuary for Families
New York, NY | Visit Website
To support the emergency cash grant program.
$2,464,500
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The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty
New York, NY | Visit Website
To support the Emergency Cash Assistance Program
$2,096,000
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Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse
Delray Beach, FL | Visit Website
To support the Support for Survivors Program
$1,617,500
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Stories
Angelica was connected to Safe Horizon’s Crime Victim Assistance Program after she was assaulted by the father of her children. As a result of her injuries, Angelica couldn’t work for four weeks. Angelica fell behind on rent and was at risk of facing housing court. Helping Hands supported this mother of three through a $1,400 grant which covered one month's rent, and necessities such as clothing and toiletries for her children. Angelica recently returned to work and will be able to pay for her family expenses moving forward.
Helping Hands News
