FY2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is administered through the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The program is designed to enhance the ability of nonprofit organizations to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to terrorist or other extremist attacks. It is part of a broader national security initiative aimed at strengthening community resilience and safeguarding institutions that may be at heightened risk due to their mission, ideology, or public visibility. The program provides funding under two streams: one for organizations located within designated urban areas, particularly the New York City metropolitan region, and another for organizations located outside those areas within the state. Funding supports a wide range of security-related improvements, including physical security enhancements, cybersecurity measures, planning, training, and contracted security personnel. Eligible expenditures are focused on protecting facilities and occupants, and all requested activities must directly address vulnerabilities identified in a required site-specific vulnerability assessment. Applicants may request up to two hundred thousand dollars per site and may apply for multiple sites, subject to limits on the number of locations and total funding per organization. Funding can be used for equipment such as surveillance systems, access control, alarms, and other protective infrastructure, as well as planning activities like emergency response development and training programs such as active shooter preparedness. Certain restrictions apply, including prohibitions on general operational costs, weapons, and unrelated activities. Construction and renovation are permitted only with prior federal approval and within specified cost limits. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations recognized as tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants must demonstrate that they are at high risk of a terrorist or extremist attack and must be prequalified in the New York State financial system prior to submission. Additional requirements include obtaining or requesting a Unique Entity Identifier and complying with state and federal registration requirements. Organizations must submit a complete application package that includes an investment justification, vulnerability assessment, mission statement, and supporting documentation. Applications must be submitted through the state electronic grants system by the stated deadline. Each site requires a separate application, including its own investment justification and vulnerability assessment. The investment justification must clearly outline risks, vulnerabilities, proposed mitigation activities, and expected outcomes. Applications are first reviewed by the state agency for completeness and eligibility, then evaluated by regional working groups and federal reviewers based on need, impact, and alignment with program priorities. The evaluation process includes scoring criteria related to risk, vulnerability, project feasibility, and anticipated impact. Additional weighting is applied for certain types of organizations, and bonus points may be awarded to first time applicants. Final funding decisions are made at the federal level. The anticipated period of performance spans multiple years, allowing recipients to implement and complete approved projects within the designated timeframe. The application timeline includes a defined submission deadline, with no extensions permitted. Questions are accepted up to a specified date prior to the deadline, and technical assistance is limited to the application period. Awards are contingent upon federal funding availability and state budget approval. The program is expected to recur annually, reflecting ongoing federal commitment to nonprofit security nationwide.

Ensure all proposed projects directly align with vulnerabilities maintain consistency across documents use full legal name and submit separate complete applications per site