Religious and Nonprofit Security Grant

The Washington State Department of Commerce is administering the Religious and Nonprofit Security Grant under RFA No. 26-33718-001. This grant is funded by the Washington State general fund and is aimed at bolstering the security of nonprofit organizations, including religious institutions, cultural community centers, and "by and for" organizations, particularly those at heightened risk of bias-motivated threats or attacks. The program is structured to provide financial support for renovations or enhancements related to physical security and preparedness activities. The purpose of this grant is to strengthen the ability of vulnerable nonprofit institutions to protect their physical sites and community members. Grants may fund equipment, renovations, and training to address risks stemming from targeted attacks, hate crimes, or other bias-motivated threats. Eligible expenditures include the purchase and professional installation of security systems (such as alarms, cameras, and license plate readers), security lighting, blast-proof materials, bollards, signage, preparedness plans, and training exercises for active shooter or emergency events. Also eligible are insurance deductible reimbursements and the hiring of licensed security guards. Certain items are explicitly prohibited, including firearms, weapons training, facial recognition software, and general operating costs or subscriptions. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations licensed to operate in Washington State or commit to becoming licensed within 30 days of grant award. These organizations must demonstrate they have been targeted or are at risk due to their mission, ideology, or beliefs. Applicants must be physically present and operating at the site proposed for security upgrades, and if they lease the premises, they must obtain the owner’s written consent to carry out enhancements. Application responses must include detailed narratives and documented evidence (e.g., police reports, insurance claims) of up to five severe incidents over the past five years. Additionally, applicants are scored based on operating budget, security planning, and prior funding from FEMA or state security grants. Applications are to be submitted electronically via ZoomGrants no later than 4:00 PM PT on July 31, 2025. The application process opens on June 18, 2025, and includes a virtual Applicants’ Conference on June 26. Questions will be accepted through July 2, with answers posted by July 9. Evaluation of proposals will occur between August 5 and August 19. Notifications to successful and unsuccessful applicants will follow from August 21–26, with contract negotiations scheduled between August 27 and September 10. The anticipated contract period is from September 11, 2025, through June 30, 2027, with the possibility of two one-year extensions. The funding structure provides a maximum award of $20,000 per organization, split equally across fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Disbursement is on a reimbursement basis, contingent upon receipt of eligible expense documentation and the successful execution of deliverables. The program does not require matching funds. Questions or communications regarding the RFA must be directed to Michelle Griffin at Michelle.Griffin@Commerce.wa.gov. Any communication with individuals other than the designated coordinator may result in disqualification. This opportunity is not offered on a rolling basis but is expected to recur annually pending legislative funding. Eligible organizations should prepare a strong application with verifiable evidence of risk and clear plans for how the funding will be used for physical or procedural security enhancements.

Attend the June 26 Applicants’ Conference and include proof of threats or past incidents.