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NSGP FY2026


FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program: A Strong Opportunity for Houses of Worship and Nonprofit Safety Teams


The FY2026 FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program application period is now open through Ohio EMA. Applications are due no later than 12:00 PM Noon ET on July 10, 2026.


This grant is designed to help eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations improve safety and security at facilities that may be at higher risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack. For Clinton County, this may be especially relevant to houses of worship, faith-based organizations, nonprofit schools, medical nonprofits, community organizations, cultural organizations, and other public-facing nonprofit facilities.


For houses of worship, this is a strong opportunity for safety and security teams to take a serious look at facility vulnerabilities, emergency procedures, access control, communications, and protective measures. The program may help support eligible physical security improvements, security planning, training, exercises, contracted security, and certain security-related equipment and installation costs.


👍 Examples of Allowable Costs

Examples of allowable costs that may be useful for houses of worship safety and security teams include:

  • Security planning, emergency contingency plans, evacuation plans, and shelter-in-place plans

  • Access control systems, locking devices, reinforced doors, and impact-resistant gates

  • Security cameras, low-light cameras, infrared cameras, and video assessment systems

  • Alarm systems, intrusion detection, door/window sensors, motion sensors, and related monitoring sensors

  • Exterior security lighting for building perimeters, parking lots, and critical areas

  • Barriers, fencing, bollards, planters, benches, and similar protective measures

  • Public address systems, alert/notification systems, intercoms, paging systems, portable radios, and repeaters

  • Stop the Bleed, first aid, AED/basic life support, active shooter, terrorism/extremism awareness, and security-related training

  • Security-related exercises, tabletop discussions, materials, facilitation, and documentation

  • Contracted security personnel

  • Installation costs for authorized equipment


👎 Examples of Costs That Are Not Allowed

Examples of costs that are not allowed, or should be avoided unless specifically approved, include:

  • Pre-award costs or reimbursement for expenses already incurred

  • General operating expenses

  • General-use expenditures not tied to security

  • Organizational costs

  • Overtime and backfill

  • Weapons or weapons-related training

  • Knox boxes

  • License plate reader cameras or license plate reader software

  • Facial recognition cameras or facial recognition software

  • Hiring public safety personnel, except off-duty law enforcement serving as contracted security

  • Risk or vulnerability assessment development costs

  • Investment Justification development costs

  • Construction or renovation without prior written FEMA approval


The maximum request is $200,000 per site. Organizations with multiple eligible sites may apply for up to three sites, for a maximum of $600,000. There is no cost share requirement.


Applicants should be prepared to submit three required documents: an Investment Justification, a Mission Statement, and a Vulnerability Assessment. This is a short application window, so interested nonprofit leaders, church administrators, and safety and security teams should review the Ohio EMA guidance as soon as possible.


Questions about the program or application process should be directed to:




- - - - VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT - - - -


👉 Do Not Skip the Vulnerability Assessment 👈


One of the most important parts of the FY2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program application is the Vulnerability Assessment. This assessment is required for the specific site requesting funding and should help explain why the requested security project is needed.


There is no required format for the Vulnerability Assessment, but it should clearly identify and prioritize the security vulnerabilities at the facility. For a house of worship, this may include entrances, side doors, classrooms, nurseries, offices, parking areas, lighting, security cameras, alarm systems, internal communications, emergency notification procedures, and how staff or volunteers would respond during an emergency.


The assessment should connect directly to the funding request. For example, if the assessment identifies poor visibility in the parking lot, the request may include exterior security lighting. If the assessment identifies uncontrolled access through multiple doors, the request may focus on access control, locks, door hardening, alarms, or cameras.


Houses of worship and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to reach out to their local law enforcement agency for assistance or guidance with reviewing facility security concerns. Law enforcement may be able to help identify practical security gaps, discuss suspicious activity reporting, review access points, or provide general crime prevention and safety recommendations. Because the application deadline is short, organizations should make this request as soon as possible and understand that availability may vary.


Applicants should also avoid submitting extra materials that are not requested. The application instructions identify three required documents: the Investment Justification, Mission Statement, and Vulnerability Assessment. Do not submit quotes, police reports, news articles, photographs, blueprints, letters of support, or other miscellaneous documentation unless specifically instructed to do so.


Important note: NSGP funds may not be used to pay for the development of the Vulnerability Assessment or the Investment Justification. Those are application documents, not funded project costs. Questions about the application process should be directed to NSGP@dps.ohio.gov.

 
 
 
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