MARYLAND
Protecting Against Hate Crimes Grant Program (PAHC)
Maryland state funding for nonprofit security, with awards tiered by organization budget size.
$200K
Maximum (tiered by org budget)
State
Funded by Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP)
What Is PAHC?
The Protecting Against Hate Crimes (PAHC) Grant Program provides Maryland state funding for security enhancements to nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes. Administered by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP).
PAHC addresses hate crime risk specifically, which is separate from the federal NSGP’s terrorism and extremism focus. [Dual-eligibility claim removed pending verification — see flag above.] Award caps are tiered by organization budget: under $500K budget = up to $50K, $500K–$5M = up to $100K, over $5M = up to $200K.
Key differences from federal NSGP: tiered by organization size.
Who Is Eligible?
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits located in Maryland
- Houses of worship, faith-based, and cultural nonprofits (school-based facilities are not eligible; campuses with a school component may still apply for non-school portions)
- Documented or demonstrable risk of hate crime victimization tied to a protected class (religion, race, color, sexual orientation, gender, disability, national origin, or homelessness)
- Compliance with Maryland Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP) application requirements
What Can the Funding Be Used For?
Allowable expenses under the Maryland Protecting Against Hate Crimes Grant Program (PAHC) typically include:
Physical Security Equipment
Surveillance cameras, alarm systems, fencing, improved lighting, reinforced doors and windows
Security Personnel
Hiring staff or contracting with a law enforcement agency or private security firm to provide on-site security services
Surveillance and Monitoring
Surveillance cameras, alarm systems
Security Training
Emergency preparedness exercises, staff and volunteer training
Cybersecurity Improvements
Cybersecurity measures as part of a facility’s broader security enhancements
Emergency Preparedness Planning
Development of emergency response plans
Application Process for the PAHC
The PAHC is competitive. Applications are submitted to the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP), which reviews and scores them against a set of weighted state criteria covering organizational background, problem statement, project design, goals and objectives, personnel, and budget. A strong application requires a clear problem statement documenting the risk of hate crime victimization, a detailed project design, and a budget tied to specific goals and objectives.
Awarded grants run for a single 12-month period, from July 1 to June 30. We track deadlines for Maryland and advise on timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers about applying for the Maryland Protecting Against Hate Crimes Grant Program (PAHC).
Who can apply for the PAHC?
Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits, including faith-based organizations, with facilities located in Maryland that serve or have members belonging to a protected class facing a documented risk of hate crimes. This typically includes houses of worship, faith-based organizations, and cultural nonprofits. School-based facilities are not eligible for PAHC funding, though an organization with a school on its campus may still apply for other eligible portions of the property.
How much funding can a Maryland nonprofit receive through PAHC?
Award limits are tiered according to an applicant's total annual organizational budget: entities under $500,000 may request up to $50,000, those between $500,000 and $5,000,000 up to $100,000, and those over $5,000,000 up to $200,000. These funding caps apply to the organization as a whole rather than per site, requiring entities with multiple facilities to consolidate all requests into a single application. Funds are distributed on a quarterly reimbursement basis, with a monthly reimbursement option available to nonprofit awardees with grants over $50,000.
Who administers the PAHC and where do I find the official source?
The PAHC is administered by Maryland's Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP) — the official source for the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), GMS application instructions, and current-cycle deadlines is https://gocpp.maryland.gov/.
When does the Maryland application window open and close?
For State Fiscal Year 2027, the online submission deadline is Friday, April 24, 2026, by 11:59 PM, submitted through Maryland's Grants Management System (GMS).
What can PAHC funds be used for?
Priority funding areas include physical security enhancements such as surveillance cameras, alarm systems, hardened doors and windows, security fencing, and improved lighting, along with security personnel; community engagement and education activities such as anti-hate awareness campaigns and bystander intervention training; and emergency preparedness activities such as developing emergency response plans and conducting active threat drills.
Does the PAHC require a match or cost share?
No.