Emergency Food & Shelter Program Grants

The Emergency Food & Shelter Program Grants, initiated in 1983, aim to support local service agencies in addressing economic emergencies, excluding disaster-related situations. These grants provide funding for organizations assisting the hungry and homeless, focusing on long-term economic assistance. Funding phases depend on federal dollar availability, ensuring that local jurisdictions receive support tailored to their needs. For more information, contact the Principal Strategist Community Investment officer.

NOTE: For additional information, please reach out to the Principal Strategist Community Investment officer.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, to help people with economic emergencies (not disaster-related [i.e., fires of any kind, floods, tornadoes, etc.] emergencies). Therefore, EFSP funds are not to be used to provide emergency assistance for circumstances that are the immediate result of a disaster situation. EFSP funds may be used to provide economic assistance in the long term, even if the current circumstances may have been impacted by an earlier disaster occurrence.
EFSP is governed by a national board that selects local jurisdictions for funding.
Funding
Funding is awarded in phases by jurisdiction, according to the availability of federal dollars to support EFSP.

Eligibility

EFSP funding is open to all organizations helping the hungry and those experiencing homelessness. EFSP funds must be used to supplement feeding, sheltering (including transitional sheltering), and rent/mortgage and utility assistance efforts only.