By Meghan Jacobsen, Grants Development Associate – Community Services
For many nonprofit organizations, most of their revenue is dedicated to funding the services that support their mission-driven work. Additionally, donors often prefer to contribute directly to these programs, leaving limited resources for other critical expenses, such as physical and cybersecurity. To address this gap, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) was established in 2004, specifically targeting nonprofit organizations at higher risk of domestic or foreign attacks due to their ideology, beliefs, or mission. These organizations may include places of worship, faith-based charities, educational and medical institutions, or any other nonprofit facing increased threats due to their beliefs or purpose.
What is NSGP?
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a pass-through grant. FEMA allocates funding to each state, and the states are responsible for managing the grant process. NSGP consists of two components: NSGP-Urban, for applicants located in urban areas designated by the Department of Homeland Security, and NSGP-State, for all other applicants. In the fiscal year 2024, $454.5 million in funding was available across all 50 states. Individual grants can be up to $150,000 per site, with a maximum of three sites, allowing for a total award of up to $450,000. Application deadlines differ by state.
What Will NSGP Fund?
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program will fund a multitude of security initiatives in both physical security and cybersecurity. These funds can be used for planning, training, equipment, maintenance, contracted security personnel, and management and administration fees.
Some examples of allowed equipment costs include:
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Cybersecurity:
· Hardware and Software
· Authentication Devices
· Host Level and Network Level Security
· Encryption
· Security Management
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Physical Security:
· Security Cameras
· Alarm Systems and Sensors
· Physical Access Control
· Personnel Identification Systems
· Impact Resistant Doors and Gates
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For a full list of allowable costs, please visit https://www.fema.gov/grants/tools/authorized-equipment-list.
Applying for NSGP Funding
If your organization has never pursued funding before, the first step is to act toward becoming grant ready. For a quick video tutorial on best practices on gearing your organization up for grant readiness, please visit https://www.grantsoffice.com/Grants-Intelligence/Guidance-for-Grantseekers. These videos offer actionable steps and best practices on your journey towards pursuing NSGP and other grants.
While application requirements may vary by state, some universal components include a site assessment, your organization’s mission statement, and the Investment Justification (IJ). A site assessment will identify security vulnerabilities and determine what is needed to address them. Be sure to save all vendor quotes and notes throughout this process, as they will be necessary for the proposal. Your mission statement summarizes your organization’s purpose, values, and goals. The IJ is especially important, as it is the scored portion of the proposal and outlines how your funding requests will address the vulnerabilities identified in the site assessment.
If you are a nonprofit organization at heightened risk of a domestic or foreign attack, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program is an opportunity you should consider exploring. By providing much-needed funding for physical and cybersecurity enhancements, the NSGP helps protect these vulnerable organizations, allowing them to continue their work safely. As threats continue to evolve, the NSGP ensures that nonprofits, regardless of size or location, can access the support necessary to safeguard their operations and the communities they serve.