PENNSYLVANIA
Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program (NSGFP)
Pennsylvania state funding for nonprofits serving communities at risk of bias-motivated hate crimes.
$150K
Maximum per organization
State
Administered by PCCD
What Is NSGFP?
The Pennsylvania Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program was established by Act 83 of 2019 following the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. It is administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and provides grants to nonprofit organizations that principally serve individuals or groups included within the FBI’s hate crime bias motivation categories.
NSGFP is a state program, separate and distinct from the federal NSGP administered in Pennsylvania through PEMA. Organizations may apply to both, though prior awards from either program must be disclosed and may be considered during review. $10 million is available under the 2026 Fall solicitation.
How NSGFP differs from the federal NSGP:
- No security assessment required. PCCD asks whether one has been completed, but it is not an eligibility condition.
- Eligibility is tied to FBI hate crime bias categories, not to a broader risk profile. Applicants must principally serve a population within one of those categories.
- A cash match is required above $25,000. Requests of $25,000 or less need no match. Requests from $25,001 to $75,000 require 33% of the request. Requests from $75,001 to $150,000 require 50%. In-kind contributions do not count, and prior security spending cannot be applied.
- Only Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) organizations qualify, including churches claiming automatic exemption under IRS Publication 1828. Other 501(c) types and public schools are not eligible.
Who Is Eligible?
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits located in Pennsylvania
- The organization must serve a group in an FBI single-bias hate crime category. Excepting public schools and school districts.
- Must occupy the facility (owned or leased) at the time of application
- Documented credible risk of terrorist or bias-motivated attack
- The organization must be in good standing with PCCD. That includes current program and fiscal reporting
What Can the Funding Be Used For?
Allowable expenses under the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program (NSGFP) typically include:
Physical Security Equipment
Barriers, fencing, lighting, reinforced doors and windows, bollards
Surveillance and Monitoring
CCTV cameras, intrusion detection systems
Access Control
Card readers, electronic locks, key fob systems
Communication Systems
Emergency communications and mass notification tools
Security Training
Safety and security training. Threat awareness and response training
Medical Response
Trauma kits.
Application Process for the NSGFP
The NSGFP is competitive. Applications are submitted to Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), which reviews and scores them against state and federal criteria. A strong application requires a documented threat case, a vulnerability assessment, and a written Investment Justification.
The period of performance for awarded grants typically runs one to three years. We track deadlines for Pennsylvania and advise on timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers about applying for the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program (NSGFP).
Who can apply for the NSGFP?
Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in Pennsylvania. Organizations that meet the IRS Publication 1828 definition of a church and claim automatic exemption also qualify. Other 501(c) types are not eligible. Public schools and school districts are not eligible. The organization must principally serve individuals, groups, or institutions within an FBI single-bias hate crime category: race, ethnicity or ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender, or gender identity. You do not need to have been the victim of a hate crime to apply. Organizations that have experienced one, or that clearly describe a credible hate crime threat, receive priority consideration in review.
How much funding can a Pennsylvania nonprofit receive through NSGFP?
Requests range from $5,000 to $150,000 in state funding. Under Act 83, no organization may be awarded more than $150,000 in a fiscal year. A total of $10 million is available under the 2026 Fall solicitation. Awards are reimbursement-based. Grantees spend their own funds first, then submit financial reports in PCCD's Egrants system for reimbursement of eligible expenditures. An organization may list more than one project location in a single request, but the $150,000 cap still applies.
Who administers the NSGFP and where do I find the official source?
The NSGFP was established by Act 83 of 2019 and is administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). Funding announcements, deadlines, and application materials are posted at https://www.pccd.pa.gov/.
When does the Pennsylvania application window open and close?
The 2026 Fall solicitation opened on July 28, 2026. Initial requests are due by 11:45 PM on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Questions about the announcement must be received by close of business on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
What can NSGFP funds be used for?
Act 83 sets the list of eligible security enhancements: safety and security planning; purchase of safety and security equipment; security-related technology such as metal detectors, protective lighting, surveillance equipment, special emergency communications equipment, electronic locksets, deadbolts, trauma kits, and theft control devices; safety and security training; threat awareness and response training; upgrades to existing structures that enhance safety and security; vulnerability and threat assessments; and specialty-trained canines. Items outside these categories may result in administrative rejection.
Does the NSGFP require a match or cost share?
Yes, on requests above $25,000. Requests of $25,000 or less require no match. Requests from $25,001 to $75,000 require non-state financial participation equal to 33% of the request. Requests from $75,001 to $150,000 require 50%. The match must be cash from a non-state source, such as fundraising dollars or federal or local government funds. In-kind contributions of goods, services, or time do not satisfy the requirement. Previous spending on security enhancements does not count toward it either. PCCD provides a funding match calculator to help applicants determine the required amount.