HOW:
How does it work?
State Administrative Agencies (SAAs) are the applicants, responsible for applying and administering the federal NSGP program on behalf of the nonprofit grantees. You must apply through your respective SAA for grant funding. A state’s SAA is usually a state’s Department of Homeland Security or Emergency Management Agency, but it is critical to check your state to be sure.
Your SAA will score and rank your application and then submit it to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA will review the submission further and the Secretary of Homeland Security will make the final award determination.
Once funding is awarded, your SAA distributes it on a reimbursement basis. In other words, you must cover, supply, and provide proof of having paid the upfront approved costs, to be reimbursed. But the grant will not cover expenses incurred prior to application approval. It is our plan to have loan funds available for those agencies that cannot afford the up front costs of the security improvements.
Sound complicated? Don’t worry. We’re here to help. Get in touch with us at help@live-secure.org.
How much can you apply for?
You can apply for up to $150,000 per award. Your State Administrative Agency (SAA) may set a lower cap in its jurisdiction at its discretion. If the SAA chooses to lower the cap in its jurisdiction, it will be included in its local application guidance.
How can you use the funds?
You’re allowed to use the funds for the following:
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Physical improvements to your organization’s building or property to make it more difficult or unattractive to target – “target hardening,” as we mentioned earlier. Target hardening is limited to the acquisition and installation of security equipment and inspection and screening systems. This can include: ensuring that all doors and windows can resist forcible and surreptitious intruder attack, adding barriers such as fences and bollards, or making other enhancements that make it harder for a vehicle or a pedestrian to intrude. You can get a detailed list of both accepted security equipment and target hardening measures (limited to Categories 14 and 15 of FEMA’s Approved Equipment List) here.
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Security and emergency planning expenses that are directly related to the protection of your facility and the people within.
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Conducting security-related exercises that enable your organization to evaluate security plans, procedures, and capabilities and to assess progress toward meeting your goals in a controlled, low-risk setting.
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Security-related training (held within the U.S.), which includes attendee costs and corresponding expenses (materials, supplies, etc.) for your employed or volunteer staff. Funding also covers your organization’s onsite security training for employees, congregants, and members.
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Accepted training topics are limited to the protection of critical infrastructure, including physical and cybersecurity, target hardening, and terrorism awareness/employee preparedness, including programs such as Community Emergency Response Team training, Active Shooter training, and emergency first aid training.
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Hiring contracted security personnel (or off-duty police) is also a permissible cost. Applicants for this investment are required to submit a plan that explains how contracted security personnel costs will be sustained after the funding or period of performance of the award expires. The funding may not be used to underwrite existing security contracts and may not be used to purchase equipment for contracted security personnel.
Requirements and perspectives regarding security hiring can vary from state to state, so be sure to check with your SAA before making this investment.