A New York State-funded grant program providing additional security funding on top of the federal NSGP.
Maximum per organization
Funded by NY DHSES
The Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) program provides New York State funding for security enhancements to nonprofit organizations, religious institutions, and community organizations at risk of hate crimes. It is one of the largest state-level nonprofit security grant programs in the country.
SCAHC is completely separate from the federal NSGP. If your organization is in New York, you can apply for both programs simultaneously, potentially combining up to $200,000 in federal funding with up to $250,000 in state funding.
Key differences from federal NSGP: SCAHC does not cover security personnel costs. If guards are part of your security plan, that goes on the federal application. Also, organizations must be prequalified in the NY Statewide Financial System (SFS) to apply. Nearly 100 applications were rejected in the most recent cycle due to missing or lapsed prequalification.
Allowable expenses under the New York Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) typically include:
Barriers, fencing, lighting, reinforced doors and windows, bollards
CCTV cameras, intrusion detection systems
Card readers, electronic locks, key fob systems
Emergency communications and mass notification tools
Active threat training, emergency preparedness exercises, drills
Firewalls, secure networks, data protection, cybersecurity training
The SCAHC is competitive. Applications are submitted to New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), 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 New York and advise on timing.
Practical answers about applying for the New York Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC).
Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits located in New York that can document a credible risk of terrorist or bias-motivated attack. This typically includes houses of worship, religious schools, faith-based and cultural organizations whose mission, ideology, or community make them targets. The nonprofit must occupy the facility (owned or leased) at the time of application. The 2026 SCAHC cycle prioritizes nonprofits at heightened risk of hate crimes; applicants must be incorporated in New York or operate at a New York site.
Award amounts are set per cycle by New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Most recent guidance: Up to $250,000 per applicant. The program is reimbursement-based, so plan for a 30-90 day cash-flow gap between vendor payment and New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) reimbursement.
The SCAHC is administered by New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) — the official source for solicitations, NOFOs, and current-cycle deadlines is https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/. The agency publishes annual scoring rubrics and supplemental guidance there. Working from the official source (rather than third-party summaries) is the best way to avoid disqualification on technicalities.
2026 cycle: July 8, 2026 at noon (per SGA's existing blog post). Application windows historically run 30-60 days from solicitation publication. Subscribe to the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) announcement list or set a calendar reminder near the historical cycle dates so you are not caught short on document preparation, which typically takes 4-6 weeks for a competitive submission.
Allowable expenses generally include physical security equipment (cameras, locks, barriers, access control, ballistic-resistant materials), surveillance and monitoring systems, security training for staff and volunteers, and planning costs. Always cross-check the current cycle's NOFO for the precise allowable-expense list — categories can shift between cycles.
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