NY Application Package Released | More JCRC assistance

May 29, 2013

The NY application package is posted here.
(Thank you Val)

All NY applicants must submit their materials via E-Grants by 11:59 PM on June 10, 2013.

  1. Check this blog and www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants often. We update existing and create additional materials. Find valuable additional assistance and suggestions at JFNA’s homeland security web page (registration required)
  2. Webinar. Click here to view a recording of the JCRC Webinar on the Nonprofit Security Grant Program application process here and the slides here.
  3. Nonprofit Security Grant Checklist 2013. The checklist is a step-by-step guide to help you complete the application package. Download it here.
  4. NY required attachments. This year applicants are required to submit a number of additional forms. Find out more here.
  5. Mission statement. Applicants will be required to upload their organizational mission statements along with theirInvestment Justification. We haven’t checked this, but it is likely that organizations that have not attached their mission statements will not be considered for a grant. Fear not. We posted What is a mission statement? to guide organizations without a mission statement.

Nonprofit Security Grant: Webinar and more info

May 23, 2013

2013 Nonprofit Security Grant Program Webinar

Tuesday, May 28, 2013
2:00 PM

Learn about the grant requirements and the NY E-Grants system.

Click here to RSVP. You will be sent a confirmation with the connection links. The system requires a high speed computer connection and speakers or headphones.

Our friends at NY DHSES are hard at work getting out the formal application package. However, you can get started immediately (remember: the grant is due on June 10, 2013). Since the guidance was released:

  1. Changes from last year. The grant application is essentially the same as last year. We have updated the JCRC Security Grants webpage at: www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants.
  2. Nonprofit Security Grant Checklist 2013. The checklist is a step-by-step guide to help you complete the application package. Download it here.
  3. Investment Justification template. Many people (including yours truly) were frustrated that DHS only posted a PDF copy of the template. A working template is now available on the JCRC Security Grants webpage. Click here to download a copy. (Thank you Val!)
  4. Mission statement. Applicants will be required to upload their organizational mission statements along with their Investment Justification. We haven’t checked this, but it is likely that organizations that have not attached their mission statements will not be considered for a grant. Fear not. We posted What is a mission statement? to guide organizations without a mission statement.
  5. E-Grants system. New York  applicants must submit their grants through the E-Grants system. If you have a E-Grants account and remember your information you need not do anything else. If you need to be reminded of your account name and/or password, send a note to grants@dhses.ny.gov.  New applicants must fill out an E-Grants Registration available in two formats: doc pdf.

The NY DHSES package should be available on or before Tuesday, May 28th, but you have plenty to do before then.

Updated: Nonprofit Grants Announcement

May 21, 2013

FY 2013 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

Key Dates and Time 

This is why we suggested that you start your work. The application window will be very short. Download the preliminary PDF version by clicking FY 2013 NSGP Investment Justification Template and get going now! N.B. It’s a PDF document, you will have to copy your answers into the official Excel spreadsheet which will be available on the NY DHSES website when they post the application package no later than Tuesday, 05/28/2013.

  • Application Start Date: In New York the NY DHSES needs to obtain certain clearances as required by the NY State contracting process before posting the application packet. It will be available no later than 05/28/2013. Click here to look at the NY DHSES website to see if the application package is posted.)
  • Application Submission Deadline Date: In New York,  the deadline will be June 10th.
  • E-Grants registration. New York  applicants must submit their grants through the E-Grants system. If you have a E-Grants account and remember your information you need not do anything else. If you need to be reminded of your account name and/or password, send a note to grants@dhses.ny.gov.  New applicants must fill out an E-Grants Registration  available in two formats: doc pdf
  • Mission statement. We are in the process of reviewing the guidance. Thus far, we’ve noticed one change: a requirement that applicants submit their “mission statements.” If your organization does not have a mission statement we will post some samples by next week at www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants.
  • Eligibility. You must be a 501(c)(3) organization located in an eligible area. New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester are eligible. No other counties in New York are eligible. For other states click here.
  • Anticipated Funding Selection Date: 08/02/2013
  • Anticipated Award Date: 09/30/2013

Total Funding Available in FY 2013: $10,000,000

Purpose: The FY 2013 NSGP provides support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack and located within one of the specific UASI-eligible Urban Areas.  While this funding is provided specifically to high-risk nonprofit organizations under The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2013 (Public Law 113-6), the program seeks to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader State and local preparedness efforts.  It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as State and local government agencies.

The FY 2013 NSGP plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) as detailed in Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8) by supporting the development and sustainment of core capabilities.  Core capabilities are essential for the execution of each of the five mission areas outlined in the National Preparedness Goal (NPG).  The development and sustainment of these core capabilities are not exclusive to any single level of government or organization, but rather require the combined effort of the whole community.  The FY 2013 NSGP supports all core capabilities in the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas based on allowable costs.

Eligible Applicants: The State Administrative Agency (SAA) is the only entity eligible to apply to FEMA for NSGP funds on behalf of eligible nonprofit organizations (as described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).  Eligible nonprofit organizations determined to be at high risk of a terrorist attack due to their ideology, beliefs or mission and located within one of the designated FY 2013 UASI-eligible Urban Areas must apply for funding through their SAA.

Program Awards: FY 2013 NSGP funds will be allocated based on risk analysis, effectiveness, and integration with broader state and local preparedness efforts.  Each nonprofit organization may apply through their SAA for up to a $75,000 grant award.

Additional Information

  • FY 2013 NSGP Funding Opportunity Announcement
  • FY 2013 NSGP Fact Sheet
  • FY 2013 NSGP Investment Justification Template
  • FY 2013 NSGP Scoring Worksheet (to be completed by the SAA only)
Last Updated:
05/21/2013 – 10:48

A peek at the NSGP guidance

May 09, 2013

Rumor has it that the Nonprofit Security Grant Program guidance will be released on or about May 25th, but that’s just a rumor. If past experience holds, New York organizations will receive 40-50 grants.

In preparation for the announcement, the Grants Division of the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency prepared the following for its constituents. Their advice closely tracks JCRC’s advice: start your process with the steps below (adapted for NY). Of course the official guidance the the final word on the program.


Interim Guidance

The FY2013 Federal Budget for DHS/FEMA includes $10,000,000 for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) – the same amount as last year, which is to provide funding to eligible nonprofit entities in major urban areas for physical security upgrades. [The allocation will be further reduced by about 5% due to sequestration.]

Due to significant delays in Congress approving the federal budget this year, the grant guidance and application package for the FY2013 NSGP has not yet been released by DHS/FEMA. However we anticipate that the grant application package will be released in mid to late May, and that applications will be due very quickly after that.

For that reason, we encourage all interested applicants to begin preparing for the short application turn-around time by gathering together the necessary information as soon as possible.

The application template has not yet been released by DHS/FEMA, but based on prior year grant guidance, the following information will likely be requested – prospective applicants should begin putting this information together now in order to have it ready for the 2013 application (see the 2012 Investment Justification/application here).

NOTE: In all prior years, the NY Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has been the sole “applicant” to DHS/FEMA on behalf of all of the applications submitted by the individual nonprofit subgrantees. Our assumption is that this will remain the same in 2013.

    1. Determine if your organization is eligible
      1. Must be a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization
      2. Must be located within a designated high-threat urban area [Still to be determined by DHS/FEMA, but the list from last year included NYC, Long Island and Westchester and can be seen here]
    2. Find your organization’s existing Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS) or get one by calling (866-705-5711)
      1. Note – you should not have to register with the Central Contracting Registration (CCR), as long as NY DHSES is the sole applicant on behalf of the designated area.
    3. Determine what your organization’s “risk” is, describing it in three concise categories:
      1. Threat. What potential terrorist threats do your organization face?
      2. Vulnerability. Based on the threats described, how vulnerable is your organization to that threat (how likely is it to succeed?) and why?
      3. Consequence. If the treat described above actually occurs, what impact would it have in terms of human casualties, property damage, and community impact?
    4. Propose a project that could mitigate the “risk” described above. [In recent years the Federal portion of the grant has been capped at $75,0000]
      1. The proposed project should directly address the threat, vulnerability or consequence described.
      2. The proposed costs must only be in the following categories described in FEMA’s Authorized Equipment List (AEL).
        1. Category 14 – Physical Security Enhancement Equipment
        2. Category 15 – Inspection and Screening Systems
        3. The link above provides an expandable list underneath those two categories – please ensure that all proposed costs can clearly be linked to specific equipment sub-items in category 14 and/or 15
        4. The proposed project budget should identify all costs (under categories 14 and 15) and add up to the total amount requested. [Federal amount, plus any additional amount provided through other sources]
        5. The proposed project should have a high-level timeline (assume sub-grant award by Sept. 01 2013, and a period of performance of no more than 21 months). Include at least 90 days in your timeline for Environmental/Historic Preservation (EHP) approval. [The award should be announced no later than September 30, 2013]

Any progress a potential applicant can make in addressing the items listed above should be able to be plugged directly into the FY2013 NSGP application template when it becomes available. With a shortened application timeframe, getting started now will help ensure timely submission of applications.

When the 2013 NSGP application package becomes available, the NY DHSES should provide the materials here.

Patience: There will be a 2013 Nonprofit Security Grant Program

May 03, 2013

Timing: Yes, everyone is frustrated and we still don’t know when US DHS will release the guidance document for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Best guess: third of fourth week of May. New York DHSES will release its application documents soon thereafter. As soon as the guidance is released we will schedule a training session.

What you can do now: If you are thinking of applying for a grant we strongly suggest that you have all of the materials for your Investment Justification (your vulnerability assessment and the answers to the questions on the 2012 Investment Justification) ready to submit when the New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services releases the official Request for Applications. We will alert you regarding any changes in the 2013 Investment Justification and you will be able to easily cut and past your answers into the 2013 spreadsheet.

Any changes in the status of the grants will be posted in the JCRC-NY Security and Emergency Planning Blog. Click here to subscribe to the JCRC-NY Security and Emergency Preparedness Alert list in order to receive ongoing alerts and updates, including information on grants.

Hope for a security grant program in 2013

March 14, 2013

After conferring with the staffs of key members of both chambers on both sides of the aisle, we are cautiously optimistic that there will another round of grants this year. The efforts to renew the grant program are led by the Washington office of the JCPA. William Daroff, Rob Goldberg, Ron Soloway of UJA-Federation of NY and David Pollock of JCRC-NY attended a whirlwind round of meetings in Washington, DC.

Our group learned that Senate Appropriations Chair, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, hammered out a Continuing Resolution, together with her ranking Republican, Sen. Richard Shelby, that included $10 million dollars for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. As written, the funding will be subject to sequestration (about a 5.1% reduction), but that DHS/FEMA could not redirect the funding elsewhere. At this time, we understand that the Senate Continuing Resolution was carefully preconferenced (negotiated) with the House and arguably should be adopted with few changes. However, trouble always seems to find the House and Senate and procedural hurdles and the amendment process could get in the way.

If there is a 2013 program the application period might be very short, e.g., 2 weeks. If you are thinking of applying for a grant we strongly suggest that you check out our Security Grant Assistance Page because we expect that there will be minimal changes in the application process. Have all of the materials for your Investment Justification (your vulnerability assessment and the answers to the questions on the 2012 Investment Justification) ready to submit before Congress acts. If a new round of grants is announced you will be able to quickly determine any changes in the 2013 Investment Justification and merely cut and past your answers into the 2013 spreadsheet.

 

Schumer, Gillibrand on Homeland Security grants.

July 10, 2012

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND SECURE OVER $3.4 MILLION TO IMPROVE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR 42 AT RISK JEWISH SCHOOLS AND CONGREGATIONS

Schumer and Gillibrand Secured over 30% Of Total Funding For Organizations Based in New York Out of the Total $10 Million Granted to Awardees Across the Country

The Awardees Include 42 Jewish Educational Institutions and Congregations; The Money Will Help These At-Risk Nonprofits For Security Preparedness

Schumer, Gillibrand: These Schools and Congregations are Vital Parts of our Community – the Grant Money Will Go To a Good Cause

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that 42 New York Jewish organizations, including schools and congregations, have received a combined total of $3,419,184 for the 2012 fiscal year as Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Awardees. The program, run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, awards federal funds to nonprofit organizations that are at a high risk of a national terrorist attack to encourage preparedness efforts.

Read More Schumer, Gillibrand on Homeland Security grants.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program 2012 announced

February 21, 2012

On February 17th, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its guidance for a number of preparedness grant programs, including the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

Program Overview and Priorities
The FY 2012 NSGP provides $10,000,000 in funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack and located within one of the specific UASI-eligible Urban Areas. While this funding is provided specifically to high-risk nonprofit organizations under The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, Division D (Public Law 112-74), the program seeks to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader State and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as State and local government agencies.

JCRC comments: Congress cut the allocations of many DHS grant programs this year and the NSGP was cut from $19 million to $10 million (i.e., below the average cut). That translates to approximately 150 successful grantees nationwide. New York generally receives between 25-30% of the grants. New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties are in a UASI-eligible Urban Area; as is Newark, NJ.

In FY 2012, the total amount of funds distributed under this grant program will be $10,000,000. Each nonprofit organization must apply through their SAA (in New York, the New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services [DHSES])for up to a $75,000 grant award. The FY 2012 NSGP funds will be allocated to organizations characterized as “Section 501(c)(3)” organizations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C.) and deemed at high risk by the Secretary of DHS. Such nonprofit organizations must be located within one of the designated FY 2012 UASI-eligible Urban Areas.

JCRC comments: The maximum grant amount and the geographic eligibility remain the same as last year. Organizations not having received prior years’ NSGP funding will receive a bonus point during scoring.

Approximate timing
DHSES has not yet determined the exact dates. Their guidance is likely to be released during the first week of March and be due mid-April. Start now, there is no reason to wait.

What should you be doing now?
The JCRC is in the process of updating our guidance materials based on the new grant materials at www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants, but the changes seem to be minor. The most important components continue to be:

  • “Findings from previously conducted risk assessments including threat or vulnerability”; and
  • “Identification and substantiation (e.g., police reports or insurance claims) of prior threats or attacks against the nonprofit organization or closely related organizations (within or outside the U.S.) by a terrorist organization, network, or cell.”

Make sure that your vulnerability assessment is up to date. Get more information about vulnerability assessments from www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants.

The links at www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants are customized for the 2011 grant, but there seem to be only minor changes this year. Check back often for updates.

Kudos to the movers and shakers. The fact that there is a FY2012 program is due to the ongoing work and incredible professionalism of 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. The JFNA Washington Office, directed by William Daroff, is the lynchpin in this process and deserves our collective thanks.

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.