Phase 41 Emergency Food and Shelter Funds

United Way of Northwest Illinois to Administer Emergency Food & Shelter Funds
to Stephenson, Jo Daviess & Carroll Counties

United Way of Northwest Illinois serves as the Chair of our local Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) Board. The local board receives funds from the National EFSP Board to supplement existing services that meet critical emergency needs in Stephenson, Jo Daviess & Carrol counties - including food pantries, homeless shelters, home delivered meals & other vital services. 

EFSP funding awards are determined by the EFSP National Board, which is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The board consists of representatives from:

  • United Way of America
  • The Salvation Army
  • American Red Cross
  • United Jewish Communities
  • Catholic Charities USA
  • National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA

Once awards have been designated our EFSP Local Board, composed of representatives from each county, is now charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food & shelter programs in High-need areas in our communities. Local Board decisions are based on applications submitted by qualified service organizations (see Eligibility tab below) serving each county.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local organizations chosen to receive funds must:
1) Be private voluntary nonprofits or units of government (If private voluntary organization, must have a volunteer board)
2) Have an accounting system
3) Practice nondiscrimination
4) Areas eligible for funds are: Served Meals, Other Food, Mass Shelter (on-site), Other Shelter, supplies/equipment, and Rent/Mortgage Assistance and Utility Assistance Please view the application for further description.
5.) Must not have any outstanding reports due to the National Board.
6.) Have an FEIN and UEI number.

EFSP funds must be used to supplement food and shelter services and may not be used as seed money for new programs. The key responsibility of participating organizations is to provide assistance within the intent of the program. Agencies may receive funds to provide food, shelter and supportive services, including, but not limited to:
• Food services, such as congregate meals or groceries;
• Lodging in a mass shelter, or in a hotel/motel or other off-site shelter facility
• Rent or mortgage assistance to prevent eviction or foreclosure;
• Utility assistance for service for gas, electric and water service;
• Supplies, including but not limited to cleaning supplies, and small equipment essential to feed or shelter people, not exceeding $300 per item; and
• Administrative funding, if approved by the Local Board. Two percent of a jurisdiction’s award may be used for administrative expenses. Agencies must confirm with the Local Board before making administrative expenditures with the funds.

Overview and Guidance for Phase 41 Will be updated when made available through EFSP

Recorded Overview & Guidance for Phase 41 Will be updated when made available through EFSP

Program Changes for Phase 41 Will be updated when made available from EFSP

Change/New Guidance under Phase 41 - Will be updated when made available from EFSP 

In FY 2023, FEMA awarded to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board the $130 million made available under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. No. 117-328).
The FY 2023 $130 million in annual funding is Phase 41 of the program and not the supplemental humanitarian relief funding.

Stephenson County is awarded from Phase 41 $23,146.

Jo Daviess County is awarded $9,143 in Phase 41 

Carroll County is awarded $6,966 in Phase 41.

Please reach out to Connie Kraft with questions at director@uwni.org or (815) 232-5184, Ext. 1