Emergency Food and Shelter Program

Overview

_NOTE: Federal EFSP funds are on hold. In January, the U.S. Office of Management & Budget (OMB) released a memo to federal agencies requiring a temporary pause on all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance and other relevant agency activities  EFSP has not been allowed to release payments to local service providers. The program is being reviewed within FEMA to ensure it complies with the EOs and the DHS guidance and payments are on hold until approval has been received from FEMA. There is no information on that timeline._

Federal and Deschutes County Emergency Food & Shelter Funds

When funding is available, we facilitate the deployment of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) and from Deschutes County, as allocated from video lottery revenue by the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, to agencies meeting immediate community needs.

One of the services we provide is to facilitate the allocation of resources throughout our community, directing resources to where they will impact those who need it most, ensuring our community members are cared for.

For 2025, only Deschutes County Emergency Food & Shelter Grants (EFSG) funds are available at this time. We currently have $60,000 available to support agencies providing financial stability and community resilience supports, such as food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience services, in Deschutes County.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* UWCO is now accepting applications from local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, faith-based, and governmental agencies in Deschutes County. 
* Any applicant funded by this program must certify that it:
* Is a nonprofit with a voluntary board and an FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number).  
* Has an accounting system or fiscal agent approved by the Local Board. 
* Has a checking account (note that cash payments, including petty cash, are not eligible).  
* Has a valid email address for program communication and electronic signature processes. 
* Has demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food, shelter, clothing, supplies/equipment, transportation, and/or disaster preparedness, response, and/or recovery and resilience services.
* Has the staff and capacity to take on the added responsibility of increased capacity resulting from EFSG funding.   
* Is currently providing services in Deschutes County and is seeking funding to supplement or expand existing programs and services or to start a new program or service within an existing organization.  
* Does not charge any client a fee for services funded by EFSG.   
* Practices nondiscrimination in all categories. (Additionally, those agencies with a religious affiliation wishing to participate in the program must not refuse services to an applicant based on religion or require attendance at religious services as a condition of assistance, nor will such groups engage in any religious proselytizing in any program receiving EFSG funds.)
* Will expend monies only on eligible costs. 
* Will retain required reports and documentation and provide, as requested, to United Way. 
* Pays vendors directly within 90 days of service. 
* Will spend all funds within 12 months of receiving the award. 
* Will not use EFSG funding for any lobbying activities. 
* Has not received an adverse or no opinion audit.