Table of Contents
What is the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)?
Overview of NSGP
State Administrative Agency (SAA) Responsibilities
Eligibility Criteria
Funding Categories
Application Steps
Key Application Components
Approved vs. Disapproved Expenditures
Additional Information and Resources
Contact Information
How ZeroEyes Can Support
What is the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)?
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant program that provides funding support to nonprofits to increase security for their facilities and activities. The NSGP program has made $454.5 million available to nonprofits in 2024. Nonprofits can start their application process by contacting their State Administrative Agency (SAA).
Overview of NSGP
Keeping your community safe can be costly, from installing security cameras to implementing comprehensive safety systems. That’s where the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) comes in, offering crucial, government-funded financial support to help your organization enhance its security without breaking the bank. In response to the sharp rise in hate crimes and other forms of violence, especially following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks against Israel, the NSGP has become increasingly vital. The NSGP was funded $664 million in fiscal year 2024, doubling last year’s allocation of $305 million. This funding allows nonprofits to bolster their security and protect their communities in a continuously evolving threat landscape.
SAA Responsibilities
If your organization is a nonprofit with tax-exempt status, you’re in the running to apply for NSGP funds. This means churches, schools, and community centers like yours could get up to $150,000 per location to boost your security. The State Administrative Agency (SAA) is the exclusive applicant eligible to submit NSGP requests to FEMA. This office, chosen by the governor, manages federal grant awards for its state or territory. Nonprofit organizations must submit their applications through the SAA corresponding to their facility’s location. This increased funding provides an unprecedented opportunity for at-risk but previously unfunded houses of worship, religious schools, and other nonprofits to implement necessary security measures.
If you want to use your security funds for ZeroEyes’ highly-regarded visual gun detection, we’ll help you with the application process.
Eligibility Criteria
If your organization is a nonprofit with tax-exempt status, you’re in the running to apply for NSGP funds. This means that churches, schools, and community centers just like yours could get up to $150,000 per location to boost their security.
Eligible entities include:
- Religious Institutions
- Educational Establishments
- Healthcare Facilities
- Other 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
Entities ineligible for NSGP funding:
- For-Profit Organizations
- Public Educational Institutions
- Government Bodies
Funding Categories
If your organization is located in a high-risk area, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Each year, the Department of Homeland Security identifies these areas, so you’ll know exactly where you stand when it’s time to apply. NSGP funding is allocated based on the geographical location of a nonprofit’s facility:
- High-Risk Urban Areas: Organizations in these areas must apply through the NSGP-Urban Area (UA) funding stream.
- Outside High-Risk Urban Areas: Organizations outside these zones should apply through the NSGP-State (S) funding stream.
Application Steps
- Locate Your SAA: Nonprofits need to apply through their SAA. Ensure you have the necessary contact information.
- Prepare Your Application Materials: You must submit a mission statement, complete a Vulnerability Assessment (if you haven’t already), and an Investment Justification for each location. Additional documentation may be required, so check with your SAA. If you plan to use your grant funds for ZeroEyes, let our grant writer help you.
- Obtain a UEI Number: Register for a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) at SAM.gov. While not needed to apply, the UEI is necessary to receive any grant funds from the SAA.
- Submit Your Application: Ready to make your community safer? Start your application today, and take the first step toward securing up to $150,000 in funding. With the right preparation, your organization could be well on its way to a safer, more secure future. Ensure all required materials are submitted to your SAA by their specified deadline. Remember, FEMA’s deadlines do not apply directly to nonprofits.
Key Application Components
- Mission Statement: Clearly outlines the purpose and objectives of your organization.
- Vulnerability Assessment: Evaluates potential security threats, risks, and the consequences of an attack on your facility.
- Investment Justification: Details proposed expenditures, includes budget projections, and summarizes your mission statement, vulnerability assessment, and supporting documentation.
- Supporting Documentation: Provides evidence and further details on your facility’s risks and vulnerabilities.
Not sure where to start? Ask ZeroEyes’ grant-writing team. Your SAA can also help with the nitty-gritty details, from documentation to deadlines.
Approved vs. Disapproved Expenditures
Approved Expenditures:
- Security Systems (including ZeroEyes) & Alarms
- Access Control Measures (Fencing, Bollards, etc.)
- Training & Planning Exercises
- Cybersecurity and Technology Upgrades
Disapproved Expenditures:
- Facial Recognition Systems/License Plate Readers
- Weapons or Weapon Training
- Routine Operational Costs, Salaries, etc.
- Direct Employment of Public Safety Staff
In 2023, over 2,200 faith-based and other nonprofit organizations utilized more than $305 million in NSGP funding to enhance security measures. Imagine what your organization could achieve with similar support—developing a robust emergency plan, layering AI-powered, human-verified gun detection software onto your existing cameras, or other ways to help keep your community safer.
Additional Information and Resources
- FEMA Preparedness Grants Manual (updated yearly): Visit fema.gov/grants/preparedness/manual for details.
- NSGP Funding Notices and Other Resources: Access through grants.gov or fema.gov/nonprofit-security.
- State-Specific Requirements: Contact your SAA for tailored advice on your application process.
Contact Information
For further details or to join the NSGP mailing list, email FEMA-NSGP@fema.dhs.gov to stay informed on the latest updates. DHS also offers various resources and support, including Protective Security Advisors available in every state to assist faith-based communities in securing their facilities.
Some people don’t apply because the process seems too overwhelming. But your SAA—and provider agencies like ZeroEyes—are there to help. Building a relationship with them early on can make all the difference, and they’re just a phone call away.
How ZeroEyes Can Support
Our advanced, AI-powered solution can help you maximize the impact of your funding. ZeroEyes’ proactive gun detection technology integrates seamlessly with your existing security cameras, combining AI with human verification to ensure rapid detection and response to potential threats. Within seconds of detecting a brandished weapon, ZeroEyes alerts law enforcement and first responders, helping to protect your people and property.
ZeroEyes is the only AI visual detection technology to be awarded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) SAFETY Act Designation, ensuring that our solution has proven its effectiveness in preventing and mitigating the impact of threats during real-world testing. As part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the SAFETY Act supports the development of life-saving technologies like ZeroEyes to combat terrorism and violence.
How to Find the Latest Funding for Your State
If you’re starting the NSGP application, our grant writers are available to provide additional support and our funding department has the most up-to-date information about opportunities specific to your area. If you’ve already secured funding, our security specialists are available to discuss how our AI-powered gun detection technology can be seamlessly integrated into your current system.
To learn more, schedule a call and live demo to discuss funding in your state. You’ll never look at security the same way again.
