Non-Profit Security Program

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides funding support for physical and cybersecurity enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at risk of terrorist or other extremist attack. The program’s goals are to:
• Improve and increase the physical and cybersecurity of nonprofit organizations’ facilities at risk of terrorist or other extremist attack.
• Enhance facility/target hardening to safeguard the lives and property of the American people.
• Integrate the preparedness activities of high-risk nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts.
Objectives throughout the period of performance include:
1. Enhancing equipment and conducting security-related activities that improve the security posture of high-risk nonprofit organizations, aligned with National Priority Areas (NPAs) and vulnerability assessments.
2. Addressing and closing capability gaps identified in nonprofit vulnerability assessments through Planning, Equipment, and Training/Exercises focused on protection of soft targets and crowded places.
3. Strengthening relationships among nonprofit organizations and state, local, tribal, and territorial homeland security agencies to support a whole-community approach to preparedness.

​​NSGP is administered as a competitive grant program. FEMA awards funds to state and territorial recipients, which in turn issue subawards to eligible nonprofit organizations. Funds are typically drawn down by recipients and subrecipients on a reimbursement or advance basis, in accordance with grant award terms, the Payment and Reporting Systems used by FEMA, and recipient financial management procedures.​

FEMA:
• Publishes the NSGP NOFO.
• Receives and reviews SAA sub award IJ applications via FEMA GO.
• Conducts federal review, including risk-based scoring and security checks.
• Issues notices of award to SAAs, which then make subawards to nonprofit subrecipients.
SAAs:
• Manage state level IJ application processes and deadlines.
• Score and rank nonprofit applications using FEMA criteria.
• Submit required documents, including all IJs and SAA Prioritization of IJs, to FEMA.
• Administer subawards, monitor subrecipients, and ensure compliance with federal requirements.

​​Application procedures for NSGP are detailed annually in the NOFO posted on Grants.gov. Nonprofit organizations submit applications to their State Administrative Agency (SAA) or designated pass-through entity, including all required documentation (such as Investment Justifications and vulnerability assessments). The SAA reviews, prioritizes, and submits the consolidated NSGP application package to FEMA in accordance with the NOFO requirements.​ The time required for FEMA to review, approve, or disapprove NSGP applications and issue awards is generally within 30–60 days after the application deadline, but may vary depending on the volume of applications, risk review processes, and funding availability.