2026 Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes RFA

The Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program is administered by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), a state agency responsible for enhancing public safety through funding, data analysis, and system improvements across the criminal justice sector. This program reflects New York State’s commitment to protecting communities vulnerable to hate crimes by supporting targeted investments in security infrastructure and preparedness. The initiative is part of a broader statewide effort to reduce crime, prevent victimization, and ensure equitable safety protections for all residents. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to strengthen the safety and security of nonprofit organizations that are at risk of hate crimes or attacks due to their ideology, beliefs, or mission. These risks may stem from characteristics such as religion, race, gender identity, or other protected categories defined under New York Penal Law. The program aims to mitigate these risks by funding physical security enhancements, cybersecurity improvements, and training initiatives that directly address identified vulnerabilities at nonprofit facilities. The program recognizes that even isolated incidents can have widespread community impact and seeks to proactively reduce such threats. Funding for this program is expected to range between approximately $35 million and $70 million, supporting an estimated 140 to 280 projects statewide. Individual awards may not exceed $250,000 per organization. Funds must be used for capital-related security improvements such as surveillance systems, access controls, lighting, fencing, cybersecurity tools, and security-related training. Personnel costs, operational expenses, and previously funded or reimbursed projects are not allowable. All funded activities must directly correspond to vulnerabilities identified in a required facility-specific vulnerability assessment. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that are recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are at risk of hate crimes. Applicants must be prequalified in the New York Statewide Financial System and must either be registered with or exempt from registration with the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau. Organizations that previously received funding under similar programs may apply only if the proposed project is distinct or builds upon prior work. Each applicant may submit only one application covering one or more eligible projects. The application process is conducted entirely through the DCJS Grants Management System. Applicants must complete a comprehensive submission that includes responses to structured narrative questions, a detailed budget and justification, a standardized work plan, and required attachments such as vulnerability assessments, facility photographs, and any applicable cybersecurity documentation. Questions must be submitted via email by a specified deadline, and responses are publicly posted to ensure fairness. Applications are evaluated through a multi-tier process that includes eligibility screening, scored review based on risk and project quality, and final selection by agency leadership. Evaluation criteria focus heavily on the quality of the vulnerability assessment, the demonstrated risk of hate crime, and the effectiveness of proposed mitigation strategies. Additional considerations include geographic distribution, prior funding history, and alignment with state priorities. Successful applicants will be notified by email, with anticipated award notifications occurring in early September and contracts beginning in January of the following year. The contract term is expected to last 24 months, during which grantees must comply with reporting requirements including annual progress reports and quarterly fiscal submissions. The application timeline includes a release date in mid-April, a question submission deadline in early May, and a final application deadline in early July. Awards are anticipated to be announced in September, with project implementation beginning the following January. This program is issued annually subject to state budget appropriations, making it a recurring funding opportunity. For questions, applicants must contact DCJS via the designated funding email, and no substantive inquiries are accepted through other channels to ensure equitable access to information.

Ensure vulnerability assessment clearly links threats to proposed solutions and provide detailed cost justification aligned with risks