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The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is one of three grant programs that support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on enhancing the ability of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to terrorist or other extremist attacks. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to help strengthen the nation’s communities against potential terrorist or other extremist attacks. The NSGP provides funding to nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack for facility hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities.
About the Program
- What is the purpose of the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Program?
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is one of three grant programs that support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on enhancing the ability of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to terrorist or other extremist attacks. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to help strengthen the nation’s communities against potential terrorist or other extremist attacks. The NSGP provides funding to nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack for facility hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities.
- What legislation authorized funding for the FY 2023 NSGP?
NSGP is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub.L. No. 117-103) and Sections 2003 and 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. No. 107-296), as amended (6 U.S.C. §§ 604 and 605).
- How much funding is available under the FY 2023 NSGP?
The total amount of funds available under the FY 2023 NSGP is $305 million:- $152.5 million for NSGP-Urban Area (UA); and
- $152.5 million for NSGP-State (S).
- What is the difference between NSGP-UA and NSGP-S?
NSGP-UA provides funding to nonprofit organizations located within an FY 2023 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)-designated high-risk urban area. NSGP-S provides funding for nonprofit organizations located outside of FY 2023 UASI-designated high-risk urban areas.
The FY 2023 NSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes a list of the FY 2023 UASI-designated high-risk urban areas.
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When will the FY 2023 NSGP funding notice be released, and where will it be located?
The FY 2023 NSGP NOFO will be released on February 27, 2023 and will be available online at www.fema.gov/grants as well as on www.grants.gov. -
How do I determine whether a nonprofit organization is eligible?
To be eligible for the FY 2023 NSGP, a nonprofit organization must:- Meet the description under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) of 1986 and be exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code;
- For NSGP-UA, be located within one of the FY 2023 UASI-designated high-risk urban areas; for NSGP- S, be located outside of the FY 2023 UASI-designated high-risk urban areas; and
- Be able to demonstrate, through the application, that the organization is at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack.
- How do nonprofit organizations apply?
Eligible nonprofit organizations must apply to their State Administrative Agency (SAA) for NSGP funds. Nonprofits may not apply to FEMA directly.
The SAA is the only eligible applicant and submits applications to FEMA on behalf of nonprofit organizations (sub-applicants). Contact your SAA for information on how to apply.
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Which NSGP sub-program should I apply for?
If the physical address of the nonprofit organization for which you are applying is within a FY 2023 UASI-designated high-risk urban area, then you must apply to NSGP-UA. If the physical address of the nonprofit organization for which you are applying is outside of a FY 2023 UASI-designated high-risk urban area, then you must apply to NSGP-S. If you are unsure whether your nonprofit organization’s physical address is located within or outside of a FY 2023 UASI-designated high-risk urban area, contact your SAA. SAAs and nonprofits should be aware that the jurisdictions that comprise a high-risk urban area are not always the same as the jurisdictions that comprise the applicable metropolitan statistical area (MSA) for that same location.
- What are ways that a nonprofit organization can demonstrate that it is at a high risk of a terrorist attack?
Ways an organization can demonstrate that it is at high risk of a terrorist attack include but are not limited to:- Describe any incidents that have occurred at the facility.
- Describe any threats (e.g., verbal threats, vandalization) made against the organization.
- Describe current events with specific attention to incidents impacting organizations that have been targeted due to a similar mission, belief, or ideology.
- Contact organizations/agencies that can provide information on the current threat environment, such as local law enforcement agencies, local emergency management offices, Federal Bureau of Investigation Field Offices, or Regional Protective Security Advisors. To reach a Protective Security Advisor, email Central@cisa.gov.
- What kinds of security-related activities are allowable?
Allowable costs include contract security, as well as planning, equipment, training, and exercises. Below are some examples:- Planning – activities related to the development of plans such as:
- Security Risk Management Plans;
- Continuity of Operations Plans; and
- Response Plans.
- Equipment –those items listed in the Authorized Equipment List as allowable under NSGP.
- Training:
- Active shooter training; and
- Security training for employees or members of the organization.
- Response exercises.
For a complete description on allowable activities, see the FY 2023 NSGP NOFO and the FY 2023 Preparedness Grants Manual.
- Planning – activities related to the development of plans such as:
- What is the maximum amount of funding I can apply for?
For NSGP-UA and NSGP-S, nonprofit organization sub-applicants with one site may apply for up to $150,000 for that site. Sub-applicants with multiple sites may apply for up to $150,000 per site for up to three sites, for a maximum of $450,000 per subapplicant. If a subapplicant applies for projects at multiple sites, regardless of whether the projects are similar in nature, it must include an assessment of the risks unique to each site.
If a nonprofit organization has physical locations both within and outside of a FY 2023 UASI-designated high-risk urban area, they may apply to both funding streams (NSGP-S and NSGP-UA) but may not exceed a total of six (6) applications. Applications that are received for the wrong program will be deemed ineligible.
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What do I need to submit to my SAA to apply for FY 2023 NSGP funds?
Each eligible nonprofit organization must submit the following to their SAA:a) Vulnerability Assessment
A vulnerability assessment specific to the location/facility for which the nonprofit organization is applying. Currently, there are no other FEMA-specific requirements for the vulnerability assessment, but SAAs may have state-specific requirements.
b) NSGP Investment Justification (IJ)
The IJ is a required application form used to apply for NSGP funds. It includes sections on the nonprofit organization’s risks, vulnerabilities, and the proposed projects that are intended to address or mitigate the identified risks and vulnerabilities. Proposed projects must be for the locations that the nonprofit occupies at the time of application. The IJ must:- Demonstrate the ability to provide enhancements consistent with the purpose of the program and guidance provided by DHS/FEMA;
- Be both feasible and effective at reducing the risks for which the project was designed;
- Be able to be fully completed within the three-year period of performance; and
- Be consistent with all applicable requirements outlined in the funding notice and the Preparedness Grants Manual.
c) Mission Statement
A Mission Statement and any mission-implementing policies or practices that may elevate the organization’s risk must also be submitted to the SAA. The SAA will use the Mission Statement, along with the information provided in the IJ, to determine the central purpose of the organization and will validate the nonprofit ‘organization type’ selected by the nonprofit organization in the IJ. The organization type may be one of the following: 1) Ideology-based/Spiritual/Religious; 2) Educational; 3) Medical; or 4) Other.