Fiscal Year 2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support the safety and security of nonprofit organizations across the United States. The program is designed to strengthen the ability of nonprofit entities to prevent, protect against, and respond to terrorist or extremist threats. It reflects a broader national strategy to enhance preparedness and resilience, particularly for organizations that serve vulnerable or identity-based communities and may be at higher risk of targeted attacks. The primary purpose of the program is to provide funding for physical and cybersecurity enhancements that improve the protection of nonprofit facilities. Funding supports activities that align with national preparedness priorities, including protecting soft targets and crowded places, enhancing cybersecurity resilience, and strengthening coordination with homeland security partners. The program emphasizes risk-informed investments and encourages applicants to address vulnerabilities identified through formal risk assessments. Eligible activities fall within four broad categories: planning, equipment, training, and exercises. Examples include installation of security cameras, access control systems, perimeter barriers, lighting improvements, and cybersecurity upgrades. Projects must directly address identified threats and vulnerabilities and be feasible for completion within the three-year period of performance. Certain costs are explicitly prohibited, including general operational expenses, overtime, and projects that do not directly enhance security capabilities. The program operates through a pass-through structure in which State Administrative Agencies serve as the primary applicants. Nonprofit organizations apply as subapplicants through their respective state agencies rather than directly to the federal government. Eligible nonprofit organizations must qualify under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code and demonstrate that they are at high risk of terrorist or extremist attack. Eligible entities include houses of worship, educational institutions, museums, and community centers. Applications require submission of an Investment Justification describing the proposed project, along with a vulnerability or risk assessment and a mission statement. Projects are evaluated based on factors such as the level of risk, alignment with identified vulnerabilities, feasibility, and integration with broader preparedness efforts. Applications undergo a two-tier review process at the state and federal levels, with final funding decisions based on scoring, prioritization, and available allocations. The application window for this funding cycle opens on June 24, 2026 and closes on July 24, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by September 30, 2026, with a period of performance running from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2029. The program is offered annually, and funding decisions prioritize high-risk organizations and those that have not previously received awards. No cost sharing or matching funds are required under this program.

Ensure strong alignment between identified vulnerabilities and proposed investments and clearly demonstrate risk of attack