CHURCHES
Security Grants for Churches
$600K
Federal NSGP maximum per organization
75+
Christian organizations served since 2025
Why Churches Apply
Churches are among the organizations the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) was built for. The program pays for physical security upgrades at nonprofits at risk of attack because of their beliefs or mission. Most churches never apply, usually because the application looks like a full-time job. That is the part we take off your plate.
Churches and Christian schools are the largest part of our practice. Since 2025, we have worked with more than 75 Christian organizations on security grant projects, from single-site congregations to multi-campus churches.
Is My Church Eligible?
- A 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Churches are tax-exempt under federal rules even without an IRS determination letter, though some state agencies still ask for proof of status
- Churches, church schools, preschools and other Christian ministries
- Must occupy the facility (owned or leased) at the time of application
- Must be at risk of attack because of its beliefs, mission or community. No prior attack is required
- Multi-campus churches can apply for each site separately
What a Church Security Grant Can Pay For
Common church projects funded through federal and state security grants include:
Access Control
Electronic locks, card or fob entry, and controlled entry for sanctuaries, offices and children’s wings
Cameras and Monitoring
CCTV coverage of entrances, parking lots and hallways
Doors and Windows
Reinforced doors, hardware upgrades and security film
Perimeter and Lighting
Fencing, gates, bollards and exterior lighting
Alerts and Communication
Panic buttons, intrusion alarms and mass notification systems
Training and Planning
Active threat training, emergency plans and drills for staff and volunteer safety teams
Results for Churches
Client names are withheld to protect their security.
- Church, California: two buildings, four applications under the federal NSGP and California State NSGP. All four funded, more than $840,000 in total.
- Multi-location megachurch, Illinois: three campuses, three applications under the Illinois State NSGP. All three funded in full, more than $340,000 in total.
- Two Catholic schools, New York: two applications under New York SCAHC. Both funded at the maximum, $500,000 in total.
Results vary by program, state and funding cycle.
Federal and State Grants Your Church Can Apply For
The federal NSGP is open to churches in every state. Many states also run their own programs, and a church can often apply to both, as long as each grant funds different items. Programs worth a close look for churches include:
- California State NSGP (CSNSGP)
- Illinois Not-for-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP-IL)
- Tennessee House of Worship Security Personnel Grant (HOW)
- Georgia Funds for Protection of Communities (FPC)
- Pennsylvania Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program
- Ohio Security Grant (OSG)
- New York Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC)
We work across 17+ state programs and serve churches in all 50 states.
How It Works
- Free consultation. A short call to confirm your church’s eligibility and identify which programs fit.
- Project list and budget. We help you decide what to ask for and what it will cost, before anything is written.
- Vulnerability assessment. A third-party assessor reviews your site. We make sure the assessment and the application line up.
- Application writing. We research your threat case and write the full application to the program’s scoring criteria. Your time commitment is measured in hours, not weeks.
- Submission and beyond. We guide submission through your state agency. If you win, we can also help with procurement, reimbursement and compliance as a separate engagement.
Our founder spent more than 15 years in federal law enforcement before building a practice focused only on security grants. We know what makes a threat case credible to reviewers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers for churches considering a security grant.
Does my church need to have been attacked or threatened to qualify?
No. Prior incidents strengthen an application, but churches without them can still make a strong case by documenting regional threats, attacks on similar congregations, and the specific vulnerabilities of their building.
Do we need a 501(c)(3) determination letter?
Not under federal rules. Churches are tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) without one. In practice, many state agencies that run the NSGP still expect proof of status, so we check what your state requires and help you document it.
Can a grant pay for our security team?
Grants can fund contract security from a professional provider, within each program’s limits. They do not pay church members or volunteers. Training for your volunteer safety team is often fundable.
Is there a cost share?
The federal NSGP has no match requirement. It is a reimbursement program, so your church pays vendors first and is repaid, which takes some cash flow planning.
Can our church school or preschool apply?
Yes. Schools, preschools and other ministries that operate from an eligible facility can be included, and in some programs a separate site can apply on its own.
How do we get started?
Book a free 15-minute call. We will tell you which programs your church is eligible for and what a realistic project could look like, whether or not you retain us. Book a free call.