Following this model, we launch and invest in United Way Signature Programs, Pilot Programs, and collaborations with existing partner programs that address identified service gaps.
United Way has long supported individual missions doing necessary work across our communities. We now know that dollars to individual agency services are not enough to move the needle on the status of our communities' health, education, or family economic stability.
In 2019, UWRF began the exciting process of transitioning away from a traditional community chest model and competitive grantmaking. We are proud of the work and impact this model facilitated in Rome & Floyd County for over sixty years, and we recognized the importance of embracing necessary change as our communities' needs and our sector evolve.
Our 2022-2023 Community Investment Plan represented the last phase of this three-phase transition. Future funding investments to partner organizations will be made in honoring donor-designated intent and based on data-informed prioritization of community needs.
What is The Emergency Food & Shelter Program? The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is a FEMA-funded program authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. We administer Floyd County’s EFSP funds, assembling a local board representative of the national board and charged with distributing these funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of local food and shelter programs. The local board is required to determine allocations through a competitive application process. Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must (1) be private, voluntary nonprofits or units of government, (2) have an accounting system, (3) be eligible to receive federal funds, (4) practice non-discrimination, (5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, (6) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a volunteer board. Learn more about the grant at the National EFSP Website.