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 Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue shooting. It provides grants to nonprofit organizations that principally serve individuals or groups included within FBI hate crime bias motivation categories.
NSGFP is separate from the federal NSGP. Pennsylvania organizations can apply for both. Over $25 million distributed to 580+ organizations since inception.
Key differences from federal NSGP: no vulnerability assessment required, lowering the barrier to entry. Tiered matching contribution from nonprofit required: $25-75K = 33% match, $75-150K = 50% match, under $25K = no match. Eligibility is tied to FBI hate crime bias categories.
Who Is Eligible?
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits located in Pennsylvania
- Houses of worship, religious schools, faith-based and cultural nonprofits
- Must occupy the facility (owned or leased) at the time of application
- Documented credible risk of terrorist or bias-motivated attack
- Compliance with Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) application requirements
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
Active threat training, emergency preparedness exercises, drills
Contract Security Personnel
Professional security services (with restrictions)
Cybersecurity Improvements
Firewalls, secure networks, data protection, cybersecurity training
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) tax-exempt nonprofits located in Pennsylvania 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.
How much funding can a Pennsylvania nonprofit receive through NSGFP?
Award amounts are set per cycle by Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). Most recent guidance: Varies by cycle; typically $50K-$150K per applicant for state-funded.. The program is reimbursement-based, so plan for a 30-90 day cash-flow gap between vendor payment and Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) reimbursement. Multi-site organizations may be eligible for higher totals depending on facility count and risk documentation.
Who administers the NSGFP and where do I find the official source?
The NSGFP is administered by Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) — the official source for solicitations, NOFOs, and current-cycle deadlines is https://www.pccd.pa.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.
When does the Pennsylvania application window open and close?
PCCD typically opens applications in late winter / early spring. Application windows historically run 30-60 days from solicitation publication. Subscribe to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) 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.
What can NSGFP funds be used for?
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. Pennsylvania NSGFP is a state-funded program separate from federal NSGP; check the current PCCD solicitation for allowable categories, which may exclude personnel costs in some cycles. Always cross-check the current cycle's NOFO for the precise allowable-expense list — categories can shift between cycles.
Does the NSGFP require a match or cost share?
State-funded programs sometimes diverge from the federal NSGP match policy. Confirm the current NSGFP match requirement on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) solicitation. Carefully review the cost-share rules in the current solicitation: nonprofits that assume the federal rule applies to a state-funded program (or vice versa) sometimes submit budgets that get partially disallowed during review.