Emergency Food and Shelter Program & state set aside

emergency food and shelter program

The intention of EFSP funds is to provide rapid assistance to communities to support basic needs such as food purchases, safe shelter and financial assistance - along with supplies and equipment essential to providing immediate food and shelter and more.

As a trusted steward of funds, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) invests into local programs through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and into state regions through State Set Aside (SSA) programs in partnership with United Way Worldwide and a Local EFSP Board.

Established on March 24, 1983, with the signing of the “Jobs Stimulus Bill,” the EFSP legislation created a National Board – chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – that consisted of representatives from several large national charities including United Way Worldwide.

The Local EFSP Board, facilitated by UWM, has designated these award dollars to metro-area nonprofits based on local needs and to prevent homelessness and food insecurity, as priority categories for Phase 41. EFSP funds are to be used to extend existing resources and not to substitute or reimburse ongoing programs and services.

Funded efsp agencies

How to apply for funding

At this time United Way of the Midlands is not accepting grant applications for EFSP.

state set aside

In partnership with United Way Worldwide, UWM invests into state regions through State Set Aside (SSA). Funding decisions for SSA are selected based upon statewide data on unemployment and poverty in relation to the state’s counties. This data is calculated and then sent to the SSA Committee, who designates which regions the funds should be invested into.