The Nonprofit Security Grant Program - National Security Supplemental, administered through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), provides critical funding to nonprofit organizations located in Pennsylvania that face an elevated risk of terrorist or extremist attacks. This program is part of a broader federal initiative launched by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to bolster security and preparedness among nonprofit institutions across the country.
This funding opportunity supports physical and cybersecurity enhancements, as well as other security-related activities. The primary goal is to integrate nonprofit preparedness with state and local security efforts, specifically through target hardening and enhancements to facility safety. The grant includes provisions for both individual applications and consortium applications. A consortium may consist of up to five nonprofit members, all located in the same urban area (State, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh), with a combined funding cap of $1,000,000 and a limit of $200,000 per member. Each consortium must submit a single Investment Justification, and the lead organization is solely responsible for submission.
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations such as camps, educational facilities, houses of worship, museums, senior centers, medical facilities, shelters, community/social service organizations, science organizations, and event venues. These organizations must be located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and demonstrate they are at high risk for terrorist or extremist attacks. Eligibility also requires substantiation of threats, symbolic significance, vulnerability assessments, and integration with broader preparedness initiatives. Additionally, applicants must possess or have applied for a Unique Entity ID that aligns with the organization’s name and address.
The performance period for this grant spans 36 months, from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2028. There is no cost-sharing requirement for grantees. The maximum funding request per individual organization is $200,000. Applications must be submitted online once the application window reopens, and a Keystone Login is required. All supporting documentation must be uploaded with the application, and applicants are advised to avoid using special characters in file names.
While the 2025 application cycle has closed, awards will be announced in March 2025. Interested organizations are encouraged to prepare early and consult Section D.10.c of the Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed application and consortium guidance. Further information and application updates are available through PEMA and the FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program website. For assistance or inquiries, applicants can contact the grants department via email.
