Nonprofit Security Grant Program

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), administered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), offers crucial support to nonprofit organizations at risk of terrorist or extremist attacks. Funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the NSGP is designed to help nonprofits bolster both physical and cybersecurity protections. The program is part of a broader national strategy to enhance community preparedness, resiliency, and security by supporting institutions that may be vulnerable due to their symbolic presence, mission, or history of threats. The FY2025 NSGP allocates funding through two distinct tracks: the Urban Area (NSGP-UA) and the Statewide (NSGP-S) components. The NSGP-UA provides $28,441,533 for organizations operating within the New York City urban area, which includes all five boroughs, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County. Meanwhile, NSGP-S designates $3,562,500 for nonprofits situated outside of this defined urban region. Both tracks aim to assist nonprofits in implementing physical and cyber-based enhancements that will mitigate identified threats and vulnerabilities. Eligible organizations must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and must also be prequalified in the New York Statewide Financial System (SFS) at the time of application. Additional eligibility requirements include providing a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), registration with or exemption from the NYS Charities Bureau, and submission of a site-specific vulnerability assessment for each proposed project location. Each nonprofit may apply for up to $200,000 per site, with a cap of three sites per area type (urban or state), for a maximum of six sites and $600,000 per organization within New York State. Allowable expenditures under NSGP include a wide range of physical security and cybersecurity equipment and services listed in FEMA’s Authorized Equipment List. These include barriers, alarms, surveillance systems, cybersecurity software, and contracted security personnel, among others. Planning, training, and exercise-related costs are also permitted if they directly address identified threats and vulnerabilities. While construction and renovation activities require prior FEMA approval and environmental/historic preservation (EHP) review, they may be eligible under specific conditions. Additionally, Management and Administration (M&A) costs up to 5% of the total award are allowable. Applications must be submitted via the DHSES E-Grants portal by January 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. A separate application, Investment Justification (IJ), and vulnerability assessment are required for each site. Applicants must use the official FY2025 fillable PDF IJ template and adhere to strict formatting requirements. Technical assistance will not be available after the deadline, and no deadline extensions will be granted. Questions can be submitted in writing until January 6, 2026. The grant’s period of performance runs from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2028, subject to federal approval and state appropriations. The application review process consists of a three-tiered evaluation: DHSES first ensures basic compliance and eligibility, followed by scoring from the NYC Urban Area Working Group (UAWG) or equivalent review panel, and final federal-level review by FEMA. Bonus points are awarded to applicants who have never previously received NSGP funding, and organizations are weighted by type (e.g., religious organizations receive a scoring multiplier). Final award determinations are made by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Awarded applicants must complete contracts and receive approvals from the NYS Attorney General and State Comptroller before any funds may be disbursed.

Use consistent organization name; Ensure all addresses match across documents; Align projects with documented vulnerabilities; Follow PDF formatting rules precisely