Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), is a federally funded initiative designed to enhance the physical and cybersecurity resilience of nonprofit organizations at high risk of terrorist or extremist attacks. The program aims to support preparedness activities of nonprofits and integrate them into broader state and local security frameworks. Under this program, eligible nonprofit organizations located in Pennsylvania can receive funding for target hardening, equipment, planning, training, and security personnel to protect their facilities and communities. Funding may also be used for contracted security personnel, management and administration costs, and limited construction or renovation projects with prior DHS/FEMA approval. Each application must be site-specific, requiring a unique risk assessment and justification per physical location. The award ceiling per site is $200,000, with a cap of $600,000 per funding stream (NSGP-S or NSGP-UA) for organizations with multiple sites. The eligibility criteria include nonprofit organizations that are registered as 501(c)(3) under the Internal Revenue Code or are recognized as such by the IRS without a formal letter (such as religious institutions). Applicants must be located in Pennsylvania and demonstrate a heightened risk of terrorist or extremist attack, supported by threat substantiation, symbolic value, or prior vulnerability assessments. Integration with local and state preparedness efforts is also a key requirement. To apply, subapplicants must determine their funding stream using the Program Designation by County document and prepare an investment justification aligned with the goals of the program. Additional required components include a mission statement explaining how the organization’s ideology contributes to its risk profile, a vulnerability assessment, and appropriate IRS documentation. All documents must follow naming conventions and be uploaded through the state’s electronic application system. The FY2025 application cycle is now closed. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FY2026 will be released approximately 60 days after the enactment of the federal appropriations bill for that fiscal year. The performance period for FY2025 awards runs from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2028. Although the FY2026 deadlines are not yet known, the recurring nature of the program suggests regular annual cycles. For questions, applicants are advised to contact PEMA’s grants department via NSGPgrant@pa.gov.

Ensure that all investments address identified risks and can be completed within the 36-month period; align enhancements with FEMA guidance; follow file naming conventions precisely.