Security grants for private and religious schools

NSGP rules that differ for schools

A nonprofit private school applies to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) through its State Administrative Agency (SAA). The SAA scores each site's Investment Justification (IJ) under the 40-point matrix in Appendix D. During federal review, FEMA applies a ×3 multiplier to religious educational institutions and ×2 to secular educational institutions, then adds 15 points for an applicant that has never received an NSGP award (FY2026 notice of funding opportunity).

The applicant's legal structure controls its tax-exemption record. If the school is a program of a congregation rather than a separate nonprofit, the congregation is the applicant. The NOFO does not require churches, mosques, or synagogues to provide an IRS recognition letter. A separately incorporated school should confirm whether it relies on its own IRS determination letter or a group exemption. Catholic schools listed in the Official Catholic Directory, for example, fall under the group ruling held by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Each SAA sets its document list.

Under the FY2026 NOFO, a multi-campus school could request up to $200,000 per site for as many as three sites per funding stream, subject to a $600,000 total per organization per state. Each site required its own IJ and vulnerability assessment. Public schools use other programs; see security grants for those routes.

Schools on a church or synagogue campus

When a school shares an address or physical structure with a house of worship, FEMA's FY2026 IJ form, posted on Grants.gov, controls: "Only one nonprofit can apply per building/facility/physical structure/address." New York's FY2026 FAQ states that applications from multiple organizations for the same address are all ineligible. Funded work may still benefit the other occupants.

FEMA bases the multiplier on the applicant's organization type, which the SAA validates against its mission statement. The applicant's funding history determines the 15-point first-time bonus. That same nonprofit signs the subaward, conducts procurement, submits reimbursement claims, and controls the equipment inventory. Its Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) must be its own officer or employee; a consultant cannot serve as AOR. The church and synagogue pages cover the congregation's side.

State programs written for nonpublic schools

Nonpublic-school programs differ most in who controls the funds. Some award or reimburse the school directly. New Jersey routes aid through the public school district, while New York City reimburses qualifying schools for guard costs. The program structure determines who procures the work and which deadline applies.

New Jersey's guidelines call for consultation before the school year and require the district to return unspent aid afterward. A nonpublic school should start with its district because the district controls the money and purchasing. Maryland's Protecting Against Hate Crimes grant excludes school-based facilities, so schools there must use a school-specific route.

Jewish day schools and preschools

Section 1001.2921, Florida Statutes, directs the Department of Education to run a security program for "full-time Jewish day schools and preschools." The funds may cover security cameras, perimeter lighting and fencing, shatter-resistant window glass, licensed and insured security personnel, transportation that reduces security exposure, and other security services. Spending must be "based on a risk assessment by law enforcement or a private security company." The 2026–27 amount and deadline were not confirmed as of October 14, 2026. For Florida's other programs, see Florida security grants.

A Jewish day school sharing a synagogue's address must settle which nonprofit will apply under the one-applicant rule. Local Jewish Federations and the Secure Community Network offer assessments and NSGP application support, described on the synagogue page. If the school applies, its AOR must be a school officer or employee, and the school remains responsible for the award.

Title IV-A services through your public school district

Private school students and teachers can receive equitable services under Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Student Support and Academic Enrichment program. The money goes to the public school district, not to the private school. Under ESEA section 8501:

• The district must consult private school officials before it makes any decision that affects their students, and consultation continues through implementation.
• A public agency keeps control of the funds and "title to materials, equipment, and property purchased with those funds."
• Services and equipment must be "secular, neutral, and nonideological," and a contractor that delivers them must be independent of the private school and of any religious organization.
• The state education agency's equitable services ombudsman monitors and enforces these rules.

The safe-and-healthy-students activities in 20 U.S.C. 7118 include violence-prevention programs, staff training in crisis management and school-based violence prevention, and mental health services. The provision does not name physical security equipment, so a school should not assume the district can buy it through this route. Ask during consultation what the district plans for the year and what share of services is available. The Department of Education's equitable services guidance covers the process.

Why private schools can't apply to COPS SVPP

The FY2026 School Violence Prevention Program notice from the Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) opened to states, local governments, tribes, and their public agencies, including school districts, public charter schools, and police. It says independent and private schools "are NOT eligible to apply as primary applicants." The notice allows projects with several partners, but only one primary applicant, with any others proposed as subrecipients. It doesn't say whether a police department may propose a project at a private school, so ask the COPS Office before you plan on that route. The FY2026 round offered up to $500,000 with a 25% cash match and closed August 11, 2026.

Local police have another option. The FY2026 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) solicitation lets state and local agencies use JAG funds to respond to and deter threats to "religious schools," for example with extra patrols (Justice Department, FY2026). The city or county applies; the school can ask its police department to consider it.

Keeping several funding sources apart

A school that uses NSGP, a state program, and district services at once has to keep each cost on one source. NYSED's NPSE questions and answers make the point for guards: when the city program covers part of a guard invoice, submit only the unreimbursed part. The same discipline applies to NSGP. Use separate quotes, contracts, and invoices for grant work, and tag each payment to one award.

Ownership and calendars differ too. Title to equipment bought with Title IV-A stays with a public agency, and New Jersey's guidelines state: "Only a local school district may dispose of technology and equipment purchased for this program." Neither belongs on your NSGP inventory or in your claims. NSGP equipment does belong on your inventory for its useful life. If you want installation during a summer break, work backward from it: the subaward, environmental review, and procurement all come first, and quotes can expire while you wait. See after the award for the sequence.