The DeKalb County Community Foundation announces it will administer Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) funds allocated to DeKalb County, IL, through the National EFSP Board. As the Chair of the local EFSP Board, the Community Foundation is responsible for distributing these dollars to expand essential services supporting food pantries, homeless shelters, home-delivered meals, and other vital programs for individuals and families in need across DeKalb County.

EFSP funding, managed at the federal level by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and supported by partner organizations such as United Way, The Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross, is distributed to communities nationwide to supplement and expand local emergency food and shelter services.

Eligible organizations can begin applying on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Applications close on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. This funding cycle will provide an estimated $108,815 in EFSP Phase 40 and Phase 41 funds to qualified DeKalb County service providers. Local public or private organizations that meet the EFSP eligibility criteria, including the ability to deliver emergency food and shelter programs may apply for funding. These dollars are available for expenses incurred from October 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024.

Eligible applicants include:

• Private voluntary nonprofits and units of local government
• Organizations eligible to receive federal funds
• Those with an established accounting system and a history of nondiscriminatory practices
• Organizations capable of providing emergency food and/or shelter
• Private voluntary organizations that have a voluntary board

The DeKalb County EFSP Local Board, which includes representatives from partner agencies like United Way, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and other community organizations, will review submitted applications. Award decisions will be communicated by December 6, 2024, pending approval of the Local Board plan by the National EFSP Board.

Applications are available online at dekalbccf.org or in person at DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore. For additional information regarding the application process, contact Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or via email at dan@dekalbccf.org.