The 2010 Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Don't know how to start? Click here to download a step-by-step application checklist for NY nonprofits.
Application & Timing. The New York State Application package is available now and all materials are due by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, March 16, 2010. Get your application in Word or PDF formats from the New York State Office of Homeland Security web site.
Grant amount & matching. Eligible applicants will be able to apply for up to $75,000 to bolster their physical security and conduct preparedness training. There is an optional cost share (cash or in-kind), which could be applicable where an applicant plans eligible improvements that exceed the maximum grant amount. An applicant's willingness to contribute to a cost share will NOT impact the application scores or allocations. (In past years there has been a 25% cost share requirement).
Likelihood of success. Last year, almost half of the NY applicants were successful. Historically, in FY 2008, $15,000,000 was available through NSGP. DHS received 621 applications, of which 232 eligible nonprofit organizations received funding. In FY 2009, $15,000,000 was available through NSGP. DHS received 635 applications, of which 227 eligible nonprofit organizations received funding. Over the past 4 rounds, over a quarter of the successful applicants were from New York.
Competitive Grant. This year most people expect that there will be more applicants, so there will be increased competition. Successful applicants will have complete submissions that address every question in the Investment Justification and show that their project will eliminate or mitigate the risks facing them. Submissions clearly demonstrating your organization's need (based on risk factors) and succinctly outlining the impact of your project to the reviewing panels are the ones most likely to be successful.
Investment Justification. The key element of the application is the Investment Justification (IJ) can be viewed in Word or PDF formats. The 10 sections contain questions and requirements are substantially the same as in past years. More help on completing the IJ here. Meanwhile, check out the JCRC workshop presentation.
Equipment. The grant funds two categories of security equipment and activities: Physical Security Enhancement Equipment and Inspection and Screening Systems. View the FY2010 UASI NSGP Authorized Equipment List (AEL) in Excel or PDF. Any improvement requested under this program must fall within one of these equipment categories.
Training. The grant funds may also be used by an organization's security personnel to attend training courses and programs. Allowable training-related costs are limited to attendance fees for training, and related expenses for materials, supplies, and/or equipment. Training topics are limited to the protection of critical infrastructure key resources, including physical and cyber security, target hardening, and terrorism awareness/employee preparedness. Any proposed training must be set forth in the application (Investment Justification) and address a specific threat and/or vulnerability, as identified in the Investment Justification. Click here for more information on training.
Prohibitions. The following projects and costs are not eligible for award consideration:
- hiring of public safety personnel;
- Construction;
- General-use expenditure, such as general-use software, computers or related equipment;
- Overtime and backfill costs associated with the implementation of grant activities;
- Reimbursement for the conduct of risk assessments, the development of the IJ, or other pre-award preparations of activities; and
- Organizational operating expenses.