The Nonprofit Security Grant Program
(Updated: July 28, 2010) U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced grants of $19 million in the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to non-profit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack.
New York organizations fared particularly well, with 83 winners (71 in NYC) qualifying for $4,995,121 in federal funding to support target-hardening activities. New York applicants gleaned 30% of the grants (273). The number of New York winners grew by nearly 15% (compared to 2009) and the NY total grant amount increased by $380,000.
All applicants, whether successful or not, will be officially notified of their status by the the New York Office of Homeland Security (NY OHS). While a list of winners was released, the state offices administering the grant can't proceed to the next step without additional documents. Currently, the NYS program staff estimates that notification letters will be sent around Labor Day and a contracting briefing for grantees will be scheduled to avoid conflicts with the holidays. Click here to learn more about the next steps for grantees.
We owe a special debt of gratitude to those dedicated public servants who actually administer the grants and answer our questions, especially Shelley Wahrlich, Steve Tierney and Valerie Bloomer. This program could not be successful without their dedication, patience and expertise. Thanks to Governor David Paterson, Acting NY Director of the Office of Homeland Security James Sherry and the entire NY Office of Homeland Security staff for their continuing, tremendous support for the Nonprofit Homeland Security Grant Program.
The links on either side of this page are customized for the 2010 grant, but will give you an idea of what will be needed in 2011.
Working on 2011. Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY2011 HLS Appropriations bill, including a $20 million allocation for the nonprofit security grant program, A coalition, led by The Jewish Federations of North America/JFNA (with JCRC and UJA-Federation playing active roles) and its Senior Director, Legislative Affairs, Rob Goldberg, is the lynchpin in this process and deserves our collective kudos. William Daroff directs JFNA's Washington office and they are already at work on the FY2011 allocation. If there is a 2011 Nonprofit Security Grant Program the timing should be similar to this year's – applications available in January and due in March.
Congressional heroes. The 2010 allocation increased to $19 million, an increase of $4 million above the FY2009 level. Our own Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Representative Lowey each uniquely contributed to this year's success. Their efforts made a significant difference in a difficult 2010 budget year and we owe them all a debt of gratitude. We count on their continued leadership In the face of a difficult budget year.We are also grateful for the past and current leadership shown by Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Ranking Republican George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) and House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David Price (D-NC) and Ranking Republican Harold Rogers (R-KY). As Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman, the late Sen. Robert Byrd was especially supportive. We are indebted to him and honor his memory.