Non-Profit Security Grant Program

The Non-Profit Security Grant Program is administered at the state level in North Carolina by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety in coordination with North Carolina Emergency Management, using federal funding provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The program is designed to enhance the security and preparedness of nonprofit organizations that are considered to be at high risk of terrorist or extremist attacks. It operates as a competitive grant program, requiring applicants to demonstrate both risk and need while aligning proposed projects with broader public safety and emergency preparedness priorities within the state. The primary purpose of the program is to support target hardening and other physical security improvements for eligible nonprofit organizations. Allowable uses of funds include a wide range of security-related investments such as installing surveillance systems, access control mechanisms, fencing, and barriers, as well as hiring contracted security personnel. In addition to physical improvements, the program supports planning and preparedness activities such as conducting vulnerability assessments, developing emergency response and evacuation plans, and providing training for staff, including active shooter preparedness and inclusive safety planning for individuals with disabilities. Eligibility for the program is limited to nonprofit organizations that qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are able to demonstrate that they face a high risk of terrorist or extremist attack. The program includes two funding streams that determine eligibility based on geographic location within the state. Organizations located in designated high-risk urban areas, specifically the Charlotte region, apply under one funding stream, while organizations located outside of those areas apply under a separate statewide allocation. Applicants must clearly identify their applicable category and provide supporting documentation within their submission. The application process requires submission through a designated Salesforce grants management portal during the official application period. Each applicant must complete a detailed investment justification form, which serves as the primary application document, along with a vulnerability assessment for each site requesting funding. Additional required materials include a mission statement, organizational leadership information such as bios and resumes, and supporting documentation related to prior incidents if applicable. Each physical site must submit a separate application, and each application is evaluated independently. Applications are reviewed through a competitive scoring process that considers factors such as the level of risk faced by the organization, the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed security enhancements, and alignment with program objectives. Following the initial review and selection process, a federal security review is conducted to assess the organization prior to final award decisions. Applicants must also comply with federal requirements related to civil rights, nondiscrimination, and reporting, and may be required to provide additional disclosures regarding organizational practices as part of the award process. For this cycle, the application period opens on October 1, 2025 and closes on November 7, 2025. Applications must be complete and submitted by the deadline, as late or incomplete submissions are not accepted. Eligible organizations may apply for up to two hundred thousand dollars per site, with a maximum of three sites per state, resulting in a total potential award of six hundred thousand dollars. The program is issued on an annual basis, and future funding opportunities are expected to follow a similar timeline, with awards issued after completion of the review and approval process.

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