If you are pricing cameras, access control, reinforced doors or security guards for a church, synagogue, school or other nonprofit, the cost is usually the hardest part. The good news: federal and state security grants exist to pay for exactly these services, and most organizations that qualify never apply.
This guide explains which nonprofit security services grants can cover, which programs to look at, and how to line up your security vendor and your grant application so the money actually reaches the project.
What Security Services Can a Grant Pay For?
Security grants fund physical protection for your building and the people inside it. Common allowable categories include:
- Access control: electronic locks, card or fob entry, and controlled entry points
- Cameras and monitoring: CCTV systems and intrusion detection
- Doors, windows and perimeter: reinforced doors, security film, fencing, gates, bollards and exterior lighting
- Alerts and communication: panic buttons, alarms and mass notification systems
- Training and planning: active threat training, emergency plans and drills
- Contract security personnel: professional guards from a licensed provider, within each program’s limits
- Cybersecurity: allowable under the federal NSGP
Each program has its own list, so the same project may be fundable under one grant and not another. See what NSGP funding pays for for the federal categories in detail.
Which Grants Pay for Nonprofit Security?
The largest source is the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), open to eligible nonprofits in every state, with up to $200,000 per site and up to $600,000 per organization. Many states also run their own programs, and an organization can often apply to both, as long as each grant pays for different items. State programs we support:
- Arizona Nonprofit Security Grant Program (AZ-NSGP)
- California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP): up to $250,000 per site
- Colorado Nonprofit Security Grant Program
- Connecticut Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CT-NSGP)
- Florida Nonprofit Security Grant Program (FL-NSGP)
- Georgia Funds for Protection of Communities (FPC): includes security personnel
- Illinois Not-for-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP-IL)
- Maine Nonprofit Security Grant Program (ME-NSGP)
- Maryland Protecting Against Hate Crimes (PAHC)
- Massachusetts CNSGP and CNSPGP: $75,000 for equipment and $40,000 for security personnel
- New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NJ NSGP)
- New York Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC)
- Ohio Security Grant (OSG): up to $250,000 per organization
- Pennsylvania Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program (NSGFP)
- Tennessee House of Worship Security Personnel Grant (HOW): security personnel
- Virginia Combating Hate Crimes Grant Program (HCGP)
- Washington State Nonprofit and Religious Organizations Security Grant (NROSGP)
- Washington, DC Safe and Secure DC Nonprofit Fund
Programs open and close on different schedules, and some have very short windows. Ask us which ones are open for your state.
How to Line Up Your Security Vendor and Your Grant
Getting the order right matters more than most organizations realize.
- Get quotes before you apply. Applications need a realistic project list and budget, and vendor quotes are the best basis for both.
- Get a vulnerability assessment. Most programs expect a facility security assessment that explains why each item is needed. A qualified third-party assessor typically does this.
- Do not buy before you are awarded. Costs incurred before the award are generally not reimbursable, so signing a contract early can cost you the grant money for that item.
- Plan for procurement rules. Federal awards require competitive procurement after the award, so the vendor who quoted the project may need to compete for it. Read why NSGP purchases need a paper trail.
- Plan your cash flow. Most programs reimburse you after you pay the vendor, so you need to front the cost for a period.
How Security Grant Advisors Helps
We do not sell security equipment or services. We write the grant application that pays for them: building the threat case, aligning the application with your vulnerability assessment, and writing to each program’s scoring criteria. After an award, we can also help with procurement, reimbursement and compliance as a separate engagement.
Whether you are a church, a synagogue, a religious school or another nonprofit, a free call will tell you which programs fit your organization and your project.
Book a free consultation or call (855) 674-7946.
