Connecticut State Nonprofit Organization Security Infrastructure Competitive Grant Program

The Connecticut State Nonprofit Organization Security Infrastructure Competitive Grant Program, commonly referred to as the CT Nonprofit Security Grant Program, is administered by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection through its Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. The program is funded through state bond allocations approved by the Connecticut Bond Commission and is designed to strengthen the physical security posture of nonprofit organizations that may be at risk of targeted violence. It operates as a competitive grant program, with applications reviewed and scored based on demonstrated need and the extent to which proposed investments address credible threats. The primary purpose of the program is to provide funding for security infrastructure improvements at eligible nonprofit facilities. These improvements are intended to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks, hate crimes, or other violent acts against organizations that serve vulnerable or high-profile populations. Allowable uses of funding include the purchase and installation of security-related equipment and infrastructure such as surveillance cameras, fencing, access control systems, alarms, security vestibules, and related physical enhancements. Vendor-provided training associated with purchased equipment is also eligible. However, certain costs are explicitly prohibited, including general operational expenses, fire alarm systems, non-vendor training, and safety equipment unrelated to infrastructure. Eligibility for the program is limited to organizations that qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are determined by the state to be at heightened risk of a terrorist attack or similar threat. Applicants must own the facility for which funding is requested at the time of application and throughout the duration of the project. This ownership requirement distinguishes the program from similar federal initiatives and ensures that funded improvements are made to facilities under the direct control of the applicant organization. The application process is conducted through the State of Connecticut’s EM Grants electronic management system. Applicants must first register their organization within the system and request access to the State Security Bond Funds module. The application itself consists of two primary components: a detailed submission including organizational data, a threat narrative, a scope of work, and a project budget; and a required online security self-assessment. These components are used to evaluate both the vulnerability of the organization and the appropriateness of the proposed security enhancements. Applications for the current cycle opened prior to July 2026 and are scheduled to close on September 4, 2026. All required materials must be submitted through the EM Grants system by the deadline. Questions regarding the program can be directed to the program’s official email inbox, while technical assistance with the application system is handled through a separate support channel. The program is expected to continue on a recurring basis, contingent on future state funding allocations, with similar timelines anticipated in subsequent years. Awards under the program are capped at a maximum amount per facility and are intended to support projects over an approximate 24-month period of performance from the date of award. Funded facilities may be subject to additional requirements, such as historic preservation review if the building meets certain age criteria. Overall, the program plays a critical role in enhancing the resilience and preparedness of nonprofit organizations across Connecticut by enabling targeted investments in physical security infrastructure.