About EFSP
The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program was created in 1983 to supplement the work of local social service organizations within the United States, both private and governmental, to help people in need of emergency assistance. EFSP funding is to be provided without discrimination due to age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, economic status, sexual orientation, or marital status. It is understood that verification of proof of citizenship or qualified alien status of any applicant or applicant’s family member is not required in order to receive EFSP funding. The Local Board encourages funding consideration for those who are undocumented or households with mixed documentation.
The allocation to Ventura County for EFSP Phase 35 is $391,340. The Phase 35 spending period is 12/1/17 through 1/31/19.
How to Apply/Deadline
Complete a hard copy of the EFSP Phase 35 Application, the Local Recipient Organization Certification Form (if applicable) with original signatures. Include all required documentation (as outlined in the application), and deliver the completed documents to the Ventura County EFSP Local Board, United Way of Ventura County, 702 County Square Drive, Suite 100, Ventura, CA 93003. You may also send all documents via mail but they must be received by the deadline of May 28 , 2018.
You must also e-mail a digital copy of the EFSP Phase 35 Application and EFSP program(s) budget (page 5, II B2) to
susan.englund@vcunitedway.org by the May 28 deadline.
There will be no exceptions to this EFSP Phase 35 application deadline.
If you need more information or have questions regarding this application, please call 805.485.6288, ext. 226.
EFSP Local Board Program Objectives are:
- to allocate food and shelter funds to serve persons in high-need areas throughout Ventura County
- to ensure fast and easy access to assistance
- to allocate EFSP funding to Mass Shelter, Rental Assistance/Eviction Prevention programs, Food Assistance programs, including Served Meals
- to maintain reporting as directed by the EFSP National Board
Criteria for EFSP Phase 35 Funding
- Agencies must be established 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations; community projects operating under a 501(c)3 non profit organization serving as a fiscal sponsor; public agencies; faith-based organizations, only if the proposed project is open to all community members and has benefit beyond the organizations’ membership.
- Programs for which EFSP funding is requested must have an established track record, and must have been in place for a minimum of two years. EFSP cannot be the sole source of funding for the program.
- EFSP funds must be used to serve Ventura County residents.
- EFSP grantees must complete all reports and correspondence in a timely manner online using the EFSP National Board website – efsp.unitedway.org.
- Prior EFSP grantees must be current with all reports due to the EFSP National Board to apply for the new phase funding. Previous performance as well as the success of particular programs may also be taken into consideration.
- EFSP grantees are required to provide a 9-digit DUNS Number to the EFSP National Board.
- EFSP grantees must maintain record keeping and documentation as mandated by EFSP regulations.
- EFSP grantees funded for Rental Assistance/Eviction Prevention must make timely, on-going entry of data into UWRAD (rental assistance database).
What Documentation for Expenditures is required? – (See addendum for documentation expectations)
All funded agencies must retain invoices and canceled checks for EFSP program expenditures and must submit a final report to the National Board at the end of the funding period, along with documentation as specified in the National Board EFSP Phase 33 Manual. Agencies funded for the first time under the program, and those that have unresolved compliance issues, must submit their documentation to the National Board. Funded agencies must maintain all program documentation for three years.