United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra (UWNNS) serves as the Secretariat for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) in Northern Nevada. The Emergency Food and Shelter Program provides federal funding through the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help expand the capacity of food, shelter, and rent/utilities assistance programs in high-need areas around the country. These funds are used to support people facing economic emergencies that contribute to hunger and the loss of housing by supporting the expansion of existing programs, thereby supporting more people than can be served without the EFSP funding.
When the National EFSP Board awards federal funding to supplement food and shelter programs in the State of Nevada, UWNNS convenes a Local Board in each of its jurisdictions receiving an award to distribute the appropriated funds to area human services agencies. Comprised of community volunteers, each Local Board determines how the funds are to be distributed among the eligible local human service organizations who have existing emergency food, shelter, and rent/mortgage and utilities assistance programs. As the Secretariat, UWNNS leads the Local Boards and State Set Aside Committee by leveraging our experience and expertise to effectively manage funding requests from local agencies. At this time, UWNNS supports and administers the State Set Aside Committee and all the Nevada Local Boards, except for Clark and Nye Counties who are administered by different agencies.
For more information about the current or recent awards or the availability of funding for new phases, please click on the corresponding link below. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply when new funding is available. Please click on the link below for the application materials.
For more information, please contact the UWNNS Community Impact Team at communityimpact@uwnns.org or at 775.322.8668.
Available EFSP Funding
Federal funds made available through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been awarded to jurisdictions in the state of Nevada for the Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) for Phase 41. A direct award has been made to Washoe County which will exist as its own jurisdiction. All other Nevada counties (including Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and White Pine) will either have a direct application, or application process through State Set Aside Funds. The application process for Washoe County is now closed. Please note, the below information does not include Clark County or Nye County, as they are not administered by UWNNS.
Phase 41 (Closed Application Process)
Washoe County $242,441
Carson City $26,629
Douglas County $23,323
Lyon County $31,170
Churchill County $10,802
Elko County $22,242
Humboldt County $6,900
East Slope (Mineral & Storey Counties) $2,800
North Rural (Eureka, Esmeralda, Lander, Lincoln, Pershing, & White Pine Counties) $7,556
The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by FEMA and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide. The National Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by the U.S. Congress in 2023 ($130 million for Phase 41) to help expand the capacity of food, shelter, and rent/utilities assistance programs in high-need areas around the country. The EFSP was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, in an effort to help people with economic (not disaster-related, i.e. fire, floods, tornadoes, etc.) emergencies. A Local Board in each jurisdiction will determine how the funds are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The program is administered locally by United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra.
Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must:
1) be a private voluntary nonprofit, a faith-based organization, or a governmental organization
2) be eligible to receive Federal Funds
3) have an accounting system and be prepared to submit required documentation
4) practice nondiscrimination
5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs through an existing program
6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board
Past EFSP participation is not a requirement. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply. Eligible agencies serving Washoe County can access the application and instructions online at uwnns.org/EFSP beginning March 18, 2024. For questions or technical assistance, contact us at communityimpact@uwnns.org or (775) 322-8668. All applications must be received by 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024. INCOMPLETE, LATE, OR FAXED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Organizations and agencies interested in applying for EFSP funding must:
- Be a non-profit or public agency;
- Have a voluntary Board, if a private non-profit agency;
- Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and shelter programs and have a currently funded (non-EFSP) program for which they can receive supplemental funding from EFSP; funds may not be used to establish a new program;
- Have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and a federal DUNS number.
- Have an accounting system;
- Be eligible to receive and able to manage federal funds;
- 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; and
- Be prepared to adhere to all requirements and guidance provided by both the National EFSP and the Local Board.
If you are an individual seeking assistance, do not apply for EFSP funding through UWNNS. Instead, you should contact Nevada 2-1-1 or directly contact the local agencies who receive an award from the EFSP Local Boards for guidance. Funds may already be exhausted depending on when you contact the local agencies. Once all funds have been awarded and Local Board plans have been approved by the National EFSP Board, the current awards will be posted on the UWNNS website under “Current Funding Awards.”
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was established in March 24, 1983, with the signing of the “Jobs Stimulus Bill,’ Public Law 98-8. That legislation created a National Board, chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that consisted of representatives of the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army, and United Way Worldwide.
The EFSP was authorized under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. 100-77 signed into law on July 24, 1987, since renamed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and subsequently reauthorized under P.L. 100-628, signed into law on November 7, 1988). Since 1983, the EFSP will have distributed $5.03 billion to over 14,000 human service agencies in more than 2,500 communities across the country through this collaborative effort between the private and public sectors.
The National Board, described above, is charged with distributing the funds appropriated by the U.S. Congress to identified jurisdictions throughout the nation. The National Board’s formula for awarding funds is based upon average unemployment statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics for the most current 12-month period available and poverty statistics from the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Poverty and unemployment were selected as the best indicators of need available nationwide at the city or county level. Funds are awarded for defined spending periods known as phases.
Past Allocations by Phase
Phase 41 – Awards Allocated Per Jurisdiction/County
Spending Period: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024
Washoe County:
Domestic Violence Resource Center - $5,000.00 for Mass Shelter
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada - $5,000.00 for Utilities Assistance
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada - $65,000.00 for Rent/Mortgage Assistance
Community Health Alliance - $5,000.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
The Children’s Cabinet - $1,443.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
The Children’s Cabinet - $15,000.00 for Rent/Mortgage Assistance
City of Reno - $49,150.00 for Mass Shelter
Food Bank of Northern Nevada - $65,000.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Safe Embrace - $5,000.00 for Mass Shelter
St. Francis of Assisi Food Pantry - $10,000.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
The Salvation Army - $10,000.00 for Rent/Mortgage Assistance
The Salvation Army - $2,000.00 for Utilities Assistance
Churchill County:
Food Bank of Northern Nevada - $5,000.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Epworth United Methodist Church - $5,000.00
Humboldt County:
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada - $3,262.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Food Bank of Northern Nevada - $3,500.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Elko County:
Elko Friends In Service Helping - $7,242.00 for Mass Shelter
Elko Friends In Service Helping - $2,000.00 for Utilities Assistance
Elko Friends In Service Helping - $6,000.00 for Rent/Mortgage Assistance
Food Bank of Northern Nevada - $6,556.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Lyon County:
Boys & Girls Club of Mason Valley - $10,000.00 for Served Meals
Food Bank of Northern Nevada - $20,547.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Carson City:
Advocates to End Domestic Violence - $5,000.00 for Mass Shelter
Friends In Service Helping (FISH) - $8,097.00 for Served Meals
Food Bank of Northern Nevada - $13,000.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Douglas County:
Carson Valley Community Food Closet - $12,357.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Family Support Council of Douglas County - $10,500.00 for Mass Shelter
State Set Aside Committee (funding for counties that do not rise to the level of their own jurisdiction):
East Slope (Includes Mineral and Storey County):
Food Bank of Northern Nevada - $1,544.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Boys & Girls Club of Mason Valley - $1,200.00 for Served Meals
North Rural (Includes all other rural counties):
Food Bank of Northern Nevada - $7,405.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Jurisdiction |
Organization |
Service Category |
Amount Allocated |
Carson |
Food Bank of Northern Nevada |
Other Food |
$10,000 |
FISH |
Served Meals |
$2,500 |
|
Other Food |
$2,500 |
||
Northern Nevada Dream Center |
Other Shelter |
$3,120 |
|
Salvation Army – Carson City |
Rent/Mortgage |
$637.00 |
|
Utilities |
$3,381 |
||
Churchill |
Food Bank of Northern Nevada |
Other Food |
$8,438 |
Douglas |
Carson Valley Community Food Closet |
Other Food |
$10,000 |
Salvation Army – Carson City |
Rent/Mortgage |
$9,271 |
|
East Slope |
Community Chest |
Other Food |
$9,000 |
Lyon |
Boys & Girls Club of Mason Valley |
Served Meals |
$10,000 |
Lyon County Human Services |
Other Shelter |
$1,203 |
|
Salvation Army – Carson City |
Rent/Mortgage |
$9,000 |
|
Salvation Army – Carson City |
Utilities |
$3,000 |
|
North Rural |
Food Bank of Northern Nevada |
Other Food |
$239 |
Frontier Community Action Agency |
Other Food |
$9,610 |
|
Washoe |
Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows |
Other Food |
$8,000 |
The Children’s Cabinet |
Other Food |
$12,800 |
|
Rent/Mortgage |
$20,000 |
||
Domestic Violence Resource Center |
Mass Shelter |
$8,000 |
|
Food Bank of Northern Nevada |
Other Food |
$76,000 |
|
Safe Embrace |
Mass Shelter |
$10,500 |
|
Other Shelter |
$2,100 |
||
Salvation Army - Reno |
Utilities |
$6,100 |
|
St. Francis of Assisi Food Pantry |
Other Food |
$14,000 |
|
Washoe County Human Services Agency |
Served Meals |
$12,480 |
|
Other Food |
$6,000 |
Phase 38 – Awards Allocated Per Jurisdiction/County
Spending Period: January 1, 2020 – October 31, 2021
Washoe County:
Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows - $10,000.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Domestic Violence Resource Center - $7,000.00 for Other Shelter
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada - $30,000.00 for Served Meals
The Children’s Cabinet - $2,500.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
The Children’s Cabinet - $16,667.00 for Rent/Mortgage Assistance
City of Reno - $45,000.00 for Mass Shelter
Community Food Pantry - $2,500.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Community Services Agency - $2,500.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Community Services Agency - $8,333.00 for Rent/Mortgage Assistance
Food Bank of Northern Nevada - $20,393.00 for Other Food
Safe Embrace - $2,000.00 for Mass Shelter
Safe Embrace - $5,000.00 for Other Shelter
St. Francis of Assisi Food Pantry - $2,500.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
The Salvation Army - $20,000.00 for Rent/Mortgage Assistance
Washoe County Human Services Agency - $15,480.00 for Mass Shelter
Washoe County Human Services Agency - $21,769.00 for Other Shelter
Lyon County:
Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows - $4,215.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Food Bank of Northern Nevada - $8,000.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Healthy Communities Coalition - $8,216.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Northern Nevada Dream Center - $1,500.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Carson City:
Advocates to End Domestic Violence - $8,250.00 for Mass Shelter
Friends In Service Helping (FISH) - $5,000.00 for Served Meals
Friends In Service Helping (FISH) - $2,261.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Food Bank of Northern Nevada - $5,000.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Northern Nevada Dream Center - $3,000.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Douglas County:
Carson Valley Community Food Closet - $1,222.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Friends In Service Helping (FISH) - $16,475.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Northern Nevada Dream Center - $3,198.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
State Set Aside Committee (funding for counties that do not rise to the level of their own jurisdiction):
North Rural (Includes all other rural counties):
Elko Committee Against Domestic Violence - $1,608.00 for Mass Shelter
Northern Nevada Food Bank - $8,500.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Intertribal Council of Nevada - $6,458.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows - $2,708.00 for Served Meals
Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows - $6,000.00 for Other Food (Food Pantry)
Jurisdiction |
Organization |
Service Category |
Amount Allocated |
Carson |
Advocates to End Domestic Violence |
Mass Shelter |
$7,200 |
Salvation Army – Carson City |
Rent/Mortgage |
$24,363 |
|
Churchill |
Churchill County Department of Social Services |
Rent/Mortgage |
$91,500 |
Food Bank of Northern Nevada |
Other Food |
$2,029 |
|
Salvation Army – Carson City |
Utilities |
$1,000 |
|
Douglas |
Salvation Army – Carson City |
Rent/Mortgage |
$20,729 |
Salvation Army – Carson City |
Utilities |
$6,746 |
|
East Slope |
Salvation Army – Carson City |
Rent/Mortgage |
$35,000 |
Utilities |
$14,873 |
||
FISH |
Other Food |
$10,000 |
|
Lyon |
Food Bank of Northern Nevada |
Other Food |
$28,000 |
Healthy Communities Coalition |
Other Food |
$31,811 |
|
Lyon County Human Services |
Other Shelter |
$12,007 |
|
North Rural |
Boys & Girls Club of Mason Valley |
Served Meals |
$2,000 |
Food Bank of Northern Nevada |
Other Food |
$26, 106 |
|
Pershing County Indigent Services |
Other Food |
$1,500 |
|
Other Shelter |
$200 |
||
Salvation Army – Carson City |
Rent/Mortgage |
$9,000 |
|
White Pine County Social Services |
Served Meals |
$5,000 |
|
Other Food |
$10,336 |
||
Elko Committee Against Domestic Violence |
Served Meals |
$5,700 |
|
Mass Shelter |
$7,125 |
||
Washoe |
Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows |
Other Food |
$7,000 |
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada |
Served Meals |
$70,000 |
|
Other Food |
$30,000 |
||
Rent/Mortgage |
$20,000 |
||
Community Food Pantry |
Other Food |
$9,969 |
|
Community Health Alliance |
Other Food |
$8,000 |
|
The Children’s Cabinet |
Other Food |
$3,200 |
|
Rent/Mortgage |
$80,000 |
||
Communities In Schools of Nevada |
Other Food |
$15,000 |
|
City of Reno |
Mass Shelter |
$25,403 |
|
Community Services Agency |
Rent/Mortgage |
$51,628 |
|
Domestic Violence Resource Center |
Mass Shelter |
$7,000 |
|
Food Bank of Northern Nevada |
Other Food |
$17,662 |
|
Moonridge Group |
Served Meals |
$25,000 |
|
Safe Embrace |
Mass Shelter |
$4,500 |
|
Other Shelter |
$900 |
||
Salvation Army Reno |
Utilities |
$1,900 |
|
Rent/Mortgage |
$150,000 |
||
St. Francis of Assisi Food Pantry |
Other Food |
$6,000 |
|
Washoe County Human Services Agency |
Served Meals |
$3,120 |
|
Other Food |
$1,500 |