Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP)

To supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the North Bay, the National EFSP Board has chosen Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino Counties to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). United Way of the Wine Country manages funding requests from local agencies to assist people experiencing economic emergencies.

Geographic Scope

Service Area: Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino counties

Management Structure

Each county is represented by a Local Board that distributes appropriated funds. United Way of the Wine Country leverages its experience and expertise to effectively manage the process.

Current Phases

• Phase 39
• ARPA-R

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations wishing to apply for EFSP Funding must:

• Be a non-profit or public agency
• Have a voluntary Board (if a private non-profit agency)
• Practice non-discrimination and not require religious services or payment for the receipt of services
• Not charge clients for EFSP services
• Not require an individual to attend counseling activities as a condition of assistance
• Not conduct lobbying activities using EFSP funds
• Not act as a vendor for itself or other EFSP-funded agency, except for shared maintenance fees for food banks
• Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and shelter programs (not start-up programs)
• Have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and a federal DUNS number

Application Materials & Process

Available Resources:

• Sonoma County EFSP Phase 39 and ARPA-R Application (Preview available)
• Lake and Mendocino County EFSP Phase 39 and ARPA-R Application (Preview available)
• EFSP Program Budget Template
• Phase 39 & ARPA-R EFSP Program Budget Template
• Local Recipient Organization's (LRO) Responsibilities guide
• Eligible/Ineligible Costs documentation
• EFSP Phase 35 Manual (outlines LRO responsibilities on p. 33 and eligible/ineligible costs on p. 58)
• Phase 39 Addendum to Program Manual (coming soon)
• Phase ARPA-R Addendum to Program Manual (coming soon)
• DUNS number instructions (this process can take several weeks to complete)
• Applicant Workshop PowerPoint materials (recommended review before submitting)

Application Access

• Login/Create Account: Required to access and submit applications
• Online application portal available

Additional Guidance

• Housing First resources available for assessing housing/shelter programs
• Applicant workshop materials provided
• Federal DUNS number required (plan ahead as this can take several weeks)