California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP)

The California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP), administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Homeland Security and Emergency Management Branch, is a competitive funding initiative designed to support nonprofit organizations at high risk of violent attacks or hate crimes due to their ideology, beliefs, or mission. With $76 million allocated for the fiscal year 2025–26, the program aims to bolster the security and emergency preparedness of California's nonprofit sector through target hardening and security enhancements. Eligible applicants include California-based nonprofit organizations designated under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt under Section 501(a). Houses of worship such as churches, mosques, and synagogues are also eligible, even if they have not obtained formal IRS recognition, as long as they meet the criteria of 501(c)(3). Applicants may request up to $250,000 per location for a maximum of two locations, while organizations applying for Support Services (SS) funding may request up to $500,000 to support other eligible nonprofits with vulnerability assessments, training, alert systems, and emergency equipment. Funds may be used for a wide range of security-related expenses including physical security upgrades (e.g., reinforced doors, alarm systems), emergency and evacuation planning, training for personnel, contracted security services (up to 50% of the total request), construction and renovation (up to $100,000), and management and administration costs (up to 5%). For SS applicants, allowable costs must benefit other eligible nonprofits and not the applicant organization itself, and include specific deliverables like updated vulnerability assessments and training sessions addressing current threats. The proposal submission process is entirely electronic. Applicants must submit a completed application form, a vulnerability assessment worksheet, and required supporting documentation (e.g., proof of ownership/lease, facility footprint, FEIN authorization if applicable). The deadline for submission is December 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM PDT. Only complete proposals submitted to CSNSGP@caloes.ca.gov by the deadline will be considered. Cal OES emphasizes accuracy and completeness; incomplete, outdated, or incorrectly formatted submissions will not be evaluated. Proposals are scored on a 48-point scale with criteria focusing on organizational background, risk assessment, proposed security enhancements, milestones, and projected impact. A minimum score of 40 is required for funding consideration. Awards are determined based on proposal rankings, funding priorities, and a review of prior grant performance. Notifications will be issued via email, and selected applicants must submit additional documentation and attend a mandatory workshop to finalize the subaward process. The grant period runs from March 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. Cal OES expects all activities to be completed within this timeframe and discourages changes to the original scope of work. Extensions are permitted only under exceptional circumstances. The CSNSGP is expected to recur annually, with the next anticipated cycle opening in Fall 2026. For further inquiries, applicants should contact CSNSGP@caloes.ca.gov.

Ensure all required documents are submitted on time to the correct email; incomplete or dual-submission proposals are disqualified.