Security grants for nonprofits: federal, state, and private routes

Funding routes compared

The applicant named in a program's rules determines the route. A nonprofit may apply directly, seek inclusion in a government project, or find that the program does not cover it. The table compares those paths as of October 14, 2026.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit should start with NSGP and its state program. A rural facility should also check USDA Community Facilities. For routes that require a government applicant, contact the city, police department, or school district that would hold the grant.

NSGP: the main federal route

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is the primary federal program through which eligible nonprofits seek security funding. FEMA funds it, but each State Administrative Agency (SAA) takes nonprofit applications. The FY2026 notice provided $300 million, divided equally between designated high-risk urban areas and the rest of each state.

A nonprofit could request up to $200,000 per site, for up to three sites per funding stream, and no more than $600,000 per organization per state. There was no match. The NSGP program guide covers eligibility and scoring; NSGP deadlines tracks the current federal and state status.

State-funded security grants

State-funded programs use their own eligibility rules, award limits, and calendars. Some cover nonprofits broadly, while others are limited to houses of worship, organizations at risk of hate crimes, or nonpublic schools. Some programs make prior federal or state awards an eligibility or priority factor.

Check the administering agency before treating an older round as current. Security grants by state lists each state's agency, latest known status, and state-funded programs. Florida's separate requirements are covered in Florida security grants.

Other federal programs

USDA accepts eligible rural nonprofits directly. For Byrne JAG, HSGP, COPS SVPP, Title IV-A, and CDBG, raise the project before the government applicant sets its budget.

Rural nonprofits: USDA Community Facilities

USDA's Community Facilities program funds essential community facilities in rural areas. Public bodies, federally recognized tribes, and nonprofit corporations or associations can apply. A nonprofit must show meaningful ties to the local community, such as local control or substantial local funding (7 CFR 3570.61). Grants cover 15% to 75% of eligible costs, depending on the community's population and median household income (7 CFR 3570.63). This route fits a security upgrade bundled with a larger facility project better than a standalone camera purchase.

Police and sheriff's offices: Byrne JAG

Byrne JAG is a formula grant to cities, counties, and other units of local government, with no match. The FY2026 local solicitation lets agencies use the money "to respond to and deter threats to houses of worship and other religious institutions, including religious schools," and its sample project is overtime for extra patrols at at-risk religious institutions. The money stays with the police department. If your congregation or school wants that protection, raise it with your police or sheriff's liaison; FY2026 local applications are due October 16, 2026.

Public school districts: HSGP, COPS SVPP, and Title IV-A

FEMA's Homeland Security Grant Program funds state and local terrorism prevention: $1.064 billion in FY2026 across the State Homeland Security Program ($394.3 million), the Urban Area Security Initiative ($584.3 million), and Operation Stonegarden ($85.5 million). School hardening is an eligible activity, and public districts reach the money through their state or urban area. Nonprofits, including private schools, cannot apply.

Through the School Violence Prevention Program, the DOJ COPS Office awards up to $500,000 over 36 months for locks, lighting, metal detectors, emergency notification technology, and similar measures at K–12 schools. The applicant must provide a 25% local match. The program page states that private schools, including private charter schools, "are NOT eligible to apply as primary applicants." The FY2026 round closed August 11, 2026.

Title IV-A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act does reach private schools, through equitable services provided by the local public district. The law keeps "title to materials, equipment, and property purchased with those funds" in a public agency (20 U.S.C. 7881), and its safe-and-healthy-students activities center on prevention, staff training, and mental health rather than hardware (20 U.S.C. 7118). Private school leaders should ask the district's Title IV-A coordinator what services are planned for their students. The fuller picture for schools is in security grants for private and religious schools.

Cities and counties: CDBG

HUD permits Community Development Block Grant funds for the "acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or installation of public facilities and improvements," and the grantee may use a nonprofit to carry out the work (24 CFR 570.201). At least 70% of a grantee's CDBG spending must benefit low- and moderate-income people, and faith-based organizations take part under HUD's equal-treatment rules (24 CFR 570.200). A community center or shelter serving those residents fits this route better than a worship space. Ask your city or county's community development office when it sets next year's priorities.

Private and community sources

Private support includes services as well as cash. Jewish Federations of North America reports more than 130 local Federations with community security initiatives, and many work with the Secure Community Network (SCN), the national security organization Federations helped found in 2004. Offerings vary by community: security assessments, training, threat information, and help with NSGP applications are among them. Security grants for synagogues and Jewish organizations covers that network.

For churches and other faith communities, the first call should go to the regional body: the diocese, conference, synod, presbytery, or association. Ask whether it offers safety training, security assessments, or property grants, and who should apply when the denomination holds title to the building. Private gifts can also cover a vulnerability assessment, which the FY2026 NSGP notice lists as unallowable. Security grants for churches covers denominational questions.