In May, nonprofit organizations including synagogues, Jewish day schools, Jewish community centers, and social service agencies submitted applications for the highly competitive annual FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant. With a maximum allocation of $150,000 per applicant, these grants are invaluable to our community, especially with the current rise of antisemitism across the U.S. These grants are part of the Department of Homeland Security’s initiative to provide funding for target hardening and other security enhancements, like active threat response and situational awareness training, to facilities at considerable risk of terrorist attacks.
The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA released the recipient awards last month and we are thrilled to announce that 23 organizations within our Greater MetroWest Jewish community were successful, receiving approximately $3.5 million in total – one million dollars more than last year.
“None of this could be achieved without the arduous work and dedication of the administrative teams, lay leaders, and volunteers from these nonprofit organizations, who put in the hours to help ensure the safety of their communities,” said Robert Wilson, Federation’s Chief Security Officer. The process also requires time and effort from a number of parties aside from the applicant organizations, including local police forces, risk agencies, and our Federation’s Community Security Initiative Team for completing necessary onsite Vulnerability Risk Assessments to identify areas that need to be target hardened and working closely with facilities to assist in writing, reviewing, and submitting proposals.
The State of New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant has just gone live and offers nonprofit organizations within New Jersey up to $50,000 for target hardening or up to $20,000 for security personnel. If you are interested in applying or have questions pertaining to this grant, contact our Security Grant Consultant, Dorit Zimerman, at [email protected].