Fiscal Year 2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency under its Preparedness Grants Division. The program is designed to enhance the physical and cybersecurity posture of nonprofit organizations that are considered at risk of terrorist or extremist attacks. As part of a broader national homeland security strategy, the program supports community resilience, interagency coordination, and risk-informed investments that protect vulnerable populations and infrastructure. The funding is distributed through State Administrative Agencies, which act as the primary applicants and pass-through entities to nonprofit subrecipients. The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance for security-related enhancements that reduce risk and strengthen preparedness among nonprofit organizations. These enhancements include investments in planning, equipment, training, and exercises that align with national priority areas such as protection of soft targets, cybersecurity resilience, and information sharing. The program emphasizes the importance of integrating nonprofit preparedness efforts with broader state and local emergency management frameworks. Funding is intended to address identified vulnerabilities and support long-term improvements in security infrastructure and operational readiness. Funding is divided into two streams: one for nonprofits located within designated high-risk urban areas and another for those located outside such areas. The program provides substantial funding at the national level, with a total allocation of three hundred million dollars. Individual nonprofit organizations may request funding for specific physical sites, with limits on the number of sites and total funding per organization. Allowable costs include security equipment such as surveillance systems, access control mechanisms, barriers, and lighting, as well as planning and training activities. Certain costs, such as general operational expenses or unrelated initiatives, are explicitly prohibited. Eligibility for funding is limited to nonprofit organizations that meet federal tax-exempt status requirements under section 501(c)(3) or equivalent criteria. These organizations must demonstrate that they are at high risk of terrorist or extremist attack and must apply through their respective State Administrative Agency rather than directly to the federal government. Examples of eligible entities include houses of worship, educational institutions, community centers, and similar organizations. Each application must correspond to a single physical location and include a site-specific vulnerability assessment and mission statement. The application process requires nonprofit organizations to submit an Investment Justification document, a vulnerability or risk assessment, and supporting organizational information to their State Administrative Agency. The agency then reviews, scores, and ranks applications before submitting them to FEMA for final consideration. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as demonstrated risk, alignment with identified vulnerabilities, feasibility of proposed projects, and integration with broader preparedness efforts. A two-tiered review process ensures both state-level prioritization and federal oversight. The application timeline for the current funding cycle begins in late June and closes in late July, with awards expected by the end of September. The program operates on a defined period of performance lasting approximately three years. There is no cost-sharing requirement for this funding opportunity, making it more accessible to resource-constrained organizations. Successful applicants must comply with reporting and administrative requirements, including financial reporting and performance monitoring throughout the grant period. Overall, the program represents a critical federal investment in safeguarding nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. By focusing on risk mitigation, collaboration, and resilience, the initiative aims to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance the ability of nonprofits to prevent, respond to, and recover from potential threats. Additional information and application materials are available through FEMA systems and official program contacts.

Ensure strong alignment between identified vulnerabilities and proposed security investments; clearly demonstrate risk and threat profile; ensure project feasibility within three year performance period