Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS). It supports the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient Nation.

Core capabilities are those capabilities, organized around five (5) mission areas – Prevention, Protection, Response, Recovery and Mitigation – necessary to:

• Avoid, prevent or stop a threatened or actual act of terrorism, within the United States.
• Secure and protect the homeland against acts of terrorism and manmade or natural disasters.
• Through emergency disaster and response efforts, save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs after incident.
• Assist communities affected by an emergency or disaster event to recover effectively.
• Lessen the impacts of disasters by reducing the loss of life and property. 

The building, sustainment and delivery of core capabilities are not exclusive to any single level of government, organization or community. It requires the combined efforts of the whole community to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as local and State-government agencies. 

Who can Participate in the NSGP Program?

Eligible nonprofit organizations are those organizations:

• Described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Title 26 of the U.S.C.
• Exempt from tax under section 501(a); and
• Determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security to be at high risk of terrorist attack.

Eligible nonprofits must also be located within the current fiscal year of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)-designated urban areas. Those areas are listed in the NSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO).  

What Activities are Funded Through NSGP?

NSGP provides support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements. The program is designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as State and local government agencies. Funding can be used for the acquisition and installation of security equipment on real property (including buildings and improvements) owned or leased by the nonprofit organization, specifically in prevention of and/or protection against the risk of a terrorist attack.

Equipment is limited to two (2) categories of items on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authorized Equipment List (AEL):

• Physical Security Enhancement Equipment (Category 14)
• Inspection and Screening Systems (Category 15).

The NSGP is a sub-component of the UASI program and States must ensure that 100% of each individual NSGP award is passed through to the non-profit organizations allocated funding by FEMA.

Application Process

The State Administrative Agent (SAA) is the only entity eligible to apply to FEMA for NSGP funds on behalf of eligible nonprofit organizations. 

GOHSEP is the SAA.

Applications are reviewed through a two (2)-phased State and Federal review process for completeness, adherence to programmatic guidelines, feasibility and how well the Investment Justification (IJ) (project description and justification) address the identified risk. FY 2015 NSGP evaluation criteria include items such as:

• Verification that the nonprofit organization is located within an UASI-designated Urban Areas
• Identification and substantiation of prior threats or attacks (from within or outside the United States) by a terrorist organization, network or cell against the applicant based on their ideology, beliefs or mission.
• Symbolic value of the site(s) as a highly recognized regional and/or national or historical institution(s) that renders the site a possible target of terrorism.
• Role of the Applicant nonprofit organization in responding to terrorist attacks.
• Findings from previously conducted threat and/or vulnerability assessments.
• Integration of nonprofit preparedness with broader local and State preparedness efforts.
• Complete, feasible IJs that address an identified risk, including threat and vulnerability and build or sustain a core capability identified in the Preparedness Goal.
• History of prior year funding under NSGP.
• Subject-matter expertise to determine feasibility of proposed project.

When is the Application Period?

FEMA issues a Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement (NFOA) when application periods open.