The national nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) has announced the selection of three new municipalities—Montgomery County, Orange County, and Sonoma County—to join its Emergency Financial Empowerment (EFE) initiative following a competitive process. This program supports local governments with funding and expert guidance to strengthen their emergency preparedness and response systems, with a focus on addressing the financial challenges faced by individuals and families during crises.
Events such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, and other localized disruptions can severely strain household finances through unexpected costs, income loss, and related pressures. These situations often create lasting financial difficulties. At the same time, affected residents must navigate complex processes to identify available aid, confirm eligibility, and access assistance. A household’s financial condition before a crisis can also influence how effectively it can secure support when emergencies arise.
Through the EFE initiative, each selected municipality will receive $150,000 along with technical support to integrate financial empowerment services into their emergency planning and response efforts. These services may include expanding access to financial counseling, helping residents prepare for emergencies, and assisting with federal aid applications after disasters. This latest group builds on the initial cohort of cities—St. Paul, St. Louis, Gainesville, Rochester, and Dallas—where partners are already working to embed financial empowerment strategies into emergency plans and train service providers to connect residents with financial resources before and after crises.
“Financial stability is a vital element in managing emergencies,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and CEO of the CFE Fund, noting the importance of collaborating with local governments to incorporate financial support services into preparedness and recovery efforts.
Events such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, and other localized disruptions can severely strain household finances through unexpected costs, income loss, and related pressures. These situations often create lasting financial difficulties. At the same time, affected residents must navigate complex processes to identify available aid, confirm eligibility, and access assistance. A household’s financial condition before a crisis can also influence how effectively it can secure support when emergencies arise.
Through the EFE initiative, each selected municipality will receive $150,000 along with technical support to integrate financial empowerment services into their emergency planning and response efforts. These services may include expanding access to financial counseling, helping residents prepare for emergencies, and assisting with federal aid applications after disasters. This latest group builds on the initial cohort of cities—St. Paul, St. Louis, Gainesville, Rochester, and Dallas—where partners are already working to embed financial empowerment strategies into emergency plans and train service providers to connect residents with financial resources before and after crises.
“Financial stability is a vital element in managing emergencies,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and CEO of the CFE Fund, noting the importance of collaborating with local governments to incorporate financial support services into preparedness and recovery efforts.