FLORIDA
Florida Nonprofit Security Grant Program (FL-NSGP)
Florida state funding for security enhancements at houses of worship, schools and at-risk nonprofits.
$150K
Maximum per award ($10K minimum)
State
Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)
What Is FL-NSGP?
The Florida Nonprofit Security Grant Program (FL-NSGP) is a state-funded program created by the Florida Legislature in 2023 and written into Florida law (section 252.3712, Florida Statutes). It provides funding for security infrastructure, security personnel and training at nonprofit facilities that are at high risk of violent attack or hate crime. Administered by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).
FL-NSGP is separate from the federal NSGP that FDEM also administers. Awards range from $10,000 to $150,000, and the statute directs FDEM to give priority to houses of worship and to facilities used daily by children or students.
Key differences from federal NSGP: state funding with no urban-area split, state-set priorities for houses of worship and schools, and allowable security personnel and training costs written directly into the statute. The program depends on a legislative appropriation each cycle, so application windows open only when funds are available.
Who Is Eligible?
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits with a facility located in Florida
- Houses of worship, religious and private schools, museums and community centers at high risk of violent attack or hate crime
- Must meet the eligibility criteria of the federal DHS Nonprofit Security Grant Program
- A vulnerability assessment of the facility is required; assessments conducted within the last three years are accepted
- Priority is given to houses of worship and to facilities used daily by children or students
What Can the Funding Be Used For?
Allowable expenses under the Florida Nonprofit Security Grant Program (FL-NSGP) typically include:
Physical Security Equipment
Cameras, fencing, lighting, barriers and bollards, door hardening, and blast- or shatter-resistant glass and film
Security Personnel
Hiring contract or employee security personnel, subject to FDEM program limits
Surveillance and Monitoring
Surveillance camera systems, alarm systems and monitoring
Security Training
Training security staff and others in threat awareness, emergency procedures and first aid
Access Control
Entry control systems, locks and visitor management
Perimeter Protection
Fencing, gates, bollards and protective barriers
Application Process for the FL-NSGP
The FL-NSGP is competitive and scored against a published rubric. Applications are submitted through FDEM’s grants system (DEMES), and applicants must first register with My Florida Marketplace and submit a W-9. A completed vulnerability assessment worksheet is required with the application.
The program only opens when the Legislature appropriates funds. The first round, funded at $20 million, closed in January 2024, and FDEM maintains a notification list for future rounds. The statute sunsets January 1, 2028 unless reenacted. We track Florida appropriations and FDEM announcements and advise clients on timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers about applying for the Florida Nonprofit Security Grant Program (FL-NSGP).
Who can apply for the FL-NSGP?
Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a facility in Florida that are at high risk of violent attack or hate crime, including houses of worship, schools, museums and community centers. Applicants must also meet the eligibility criteria of the federal DHS Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Florida law directs FDEM to give priority to houses of worship and to facilities used daily by children or students.
How much funding can a Florida organization receive through FL-NSGP?
Under section 252.3712, Florida Statutes, each grant is at least $10,000 and no more than $150,000. Total funding is limited to what the Legislature appropriates for the program in a given year.
What can FL-NSGP funds be used for?
The statute allows security infrastructure such as cameras, fencing, lighting, barriers, bollards, door hardening and blast- or shatter-resistant glass and film; hiring security personnel; and training security staff and others in threat awareness, emergency procedures and first aid. FDEM has issued program guidance on contract and employee security personnel that applies to those costs.
Is the FL-NSGP currently accepting applications?
Not at this time. FDEM closed the 2023 round on January 19, 2024 and is not accepting new applications until the Legislature appropriates additional funds. FDEM maintains a notification list for interested organizations, and we monitor the state budget each session so clients are ready when a new round opens.
Who administers the FL-NSGP and where do I apply?
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) administers the program, alongside the federal NSGP. Applications are submitted through FDEM's DEMES grants system. Program information is posted at floridadisaster.org, and FDEM can be reached about the state program at FLNSGP@em.myflorida.com.
Does the FL-NSGP require a match or cost share?
No match is required. Awards are paid on a reimbursement basis, and applicants must be registered with My Florida Marketplace and have a valid W-9 on file with the state.