Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program

This program does not accept unsolicited proposals; the only eligible applicant to FEMA for EFSP funds is the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board. EFSP funding is sub-awarded by the National Board to supplement the on-going efforts of local service organizations to provide emergency food and shelter to those in need. The goal and objective of the program is to assist those experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, hunger and/or homelessness. Program funds support the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) by complementing actions undertaken to achieve an “all-of-Nation preparedness approach that optimizes the use of available resources.” When a disaster strikes, it is often the poor or those with economic vulnerabilities who suffer the most. By providing emergency economic assistance that keeps people off the streets, from being evicted from their homes, or with groceries to prevent hunger, the EFSP prepares a population that could otherwise be even more adversely impacted by a disaster situation and mitigates potential burdens imposed on recovery efforts to assist such people. For additional details on the NPG, please refer to http://www.fema.gov/pdf/prepared/npg.pdf. FYs 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 supplemental program funding was provided to EFSP for humanitarian relief, such as shelter and other services to migrant families and individuals encountered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The only eligible applicant to FEMA for EFSP funds is the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board. EFSP funding is sub-awarded by the National Board to supplement the on-going efforts of local service organizations to provide emergency food and shelter to those in need.

The only eligible applicant to FEMA for EFSP funds is the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board. EFSP funding is sub-awarded by the National Board to supplement the on-going efforts of local service organizations to provide emergency food and shelter to those in need. The National Board determines which jurisdictions have the highest need for EFSP funding by using a formula based on unemployment and poverty statistics to determine allocations to counties and cities. Service agencies receiving funds from the National Board, via sub-award made by the community’s Local Board, must use these funds to supplement, not replace, their current efforts as this program allows them to extend and expand upon existing services.
Humanitarian relief funding is provided to eligible organizations providing shelter, food, transportation, basic heath and first aid (including COVID-19 testing) and other supportive services to migrant families and individuals encountered by DHS.

Upon issuance of a Notification of Funding Opportunity by FEMA, the EFSP National Board submits its application to FEMA via the current grants system.

By statute, one award is made to the EFSP National Board for the full amount of funding made available for the program. Upon receipt in the relevant grants system of the EFSP National Board’s application, FEMA will review for completeness and award the full appropriated amount to the National Board.

Per the authorizing statute, FEMA must make the award to the EFSP National Board not later than 30 days following the date on which appropriations become available.