Nonprofit Security Grant Program

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is a federal homeland security grant program implemented through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. NSGP is one of three grant programs supporting DHS/FEMA's efforts to enhance the ability of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and nonprofit organizations to prevent, protect against, prepare for, and respond to terrorist or other extremist attacks. The program is identified under CFDA Number 97.008 and CFDA Title Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). For the Georgia application process described in the source, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) provides program guidance and receives nonprofit applications through its online grants management system. NSGP provides funding to nonprofit organizations at high risk of terrorist or other extremist attack. Its objectives are to enhance equipment and security-related activities that improve nonprofit security posture, address capability gaps identified through nonprofit Vulnerability Assessments, and strengthen relationships among nonprofit organizations and state, local, and territorial homeland security agencies. Funded activities may include Planning, Equipment, Training, and Exercises intended to improve protection of soft targets and crowded places. Proposed security enhancements are expected to respond to identified vulnerabilities and represent cost-effective investments in reducing potential security risks. Two funding sources are identified for nonprofit subapplicants. NSGP-Urban Area, or NSGP-UA, supports eligible subapplicants located within FY 2025 Urban Area Security Initiative designated high-risk urban areas. NSGP-State, or NSGP-S, supports eligible subapplicants located outside an FY 2025 UASI-designated high-risk urban area. Eligible organizations must be described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a). The source expressly notes that this can include entities designated as private, including private institutions of higher learning when they qualify as 501(c)(3) entities. Examples of eligible nonprofit organizations include houses of worship, educational institutions, senior centers, community centers, day camps, medical facilities, and museums. Applicants must also demonstrate through their Investment Justification that they are at high risk of terrorist or other extremist attack. Applicants are expected to prepare the required organizational and project information carefully. The source directs organizations to gather documentation such as proof of tax-exempt status, organizational information, and details concerning proposed security enhancements. Applicants must conduct a risk assessment evaluating vulnerability to potential terrorist threats or violent attacks. A project proposal should identify the security measures proposed for implementation and their estimated costs, and applicants must demonstrate that the proposed enhancements are cost-effective in relation to the potential reduction in risk. Applicants may collaborate with local law enforcement, emergency responders, and community stakeholders to strengthen security planning and community engagement. The required application submissions are an Investment Justification, Mission Statement, and Vulnerability Assessment. The Vulnerability Assessment is a critical component because the program is intended to address and close capability gaps identified through that assessment. Failure to submit the required items within the allotted timeframe results in forfeiture of the grant application. Applications are accepted only online through the Georgia EM Grants Manager System at ga.emgrants.com. The application process is competitive, and the source emphasizes demonstrating risk, clearly connecting proposed security measures to identified vulnerabilities, supplying estimated costs, and showing that the proposed investments are cost-effective. The source does not provide a specific numeric award ceiling, award floor, total program funding amount, number of awards, cost-share percentage, or matching contribution requirement. The application period opened June 26, 2026, and all applications were required to be received by July 15, 2026. As of August 13, 2026, that application deadline has passed, and the supplied source does not explicitly establish that the opportunity recurs annually or provide dates for a subsequent round. The general projected federal-level period of performance is September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2029. Program grant questions may be directed to hsgrants@gema.ga.gov or (404) 635-7068. The source also provides general Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency contact information, including ExternalAffairs@gema.ga.gov and general telephone numbers, but the dedicated grants contact is the more directly relevant program contact.

Demonstrate high risk of terrorist or other extremist attack in the Investment Justification; connect proposed Planning, Equipment, Training, and Exercise investments to capability gaps identified in the Vulnerability Assessment; demonstrate that proposed security enhancements are cost-effective; submit the Investment Justification, Mission Statement, and Vulnerability Assessment within the allotted timeframe