Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program

The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) is a Federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and has been entrusted through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11331 et seq.) “to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services” for the nation’s hungry and homeless. A National Board, chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, with representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army; and, United Way Worldwide, governs the EFSP. The National Board has selected United Way Worldwide to once again serve as Secretariat and Fiscal Agent to the National Board.By law (42 U.S.C. § 11341), the National Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program is the only eligible applicant. Once the funds are awarded to the National Board, processes begin to award sub-grants to non-profit community and government organizations that are selected by Local Boards in jurisdictions that qualify for funds. Application for sub-grants is not applicable for the EFSP on Grants.Gov.