Mayor Bowser Announces $1.48 Million to Help Faith-Based Organizations and Nonprofits Enhance Safety and Security

(Washington, DC) - Reinforcing efforts to protect District residents from hate-based crimes, Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced $1.48 million in security and preparedness grants for nonprofit organizations in the District through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). Eleven District faith-based and non-profit organizations will receive grants to improve security infrastructure with four organizations as first-time recipients. Six nonprofits applied for and will receive the maximum award amount of $150,000.

"Our places of worship are an integral part of our community, and this funding helps us ensure the continued safety and protection of our neighbors while they worship," said Mayor Bowser. "Hate has no place in Washington, DC and I'm grateful to the teams of people who work every day to uplift our DC values and keep our community safe."

The NSGP supports facility security upgrades, planning, trainings, and other security-related activities for faith-based organizations (FBOs) that are at a higher risk for violent attacks or hate-based crimes. Funding can be used to purchase physical security enhancements such as cameras, strengthening doors, locks, security lights gates, and security personnel.

The grant program is appropriated annually through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In the District, local grant awards are managed through the District of Columbia's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA).

"Faith-based organizations and nonprofits are critical stakeholders in the District's public safety ecosystem, and we remain committed to providing tools, training, and financial support to increase community resilience," said HSEMA Director Clint Osborn. "The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is a step towards combatting rising faith-based attacks in the District and the National Capital Region."

In FY23, FEMA disbursed $305 million to non-profit organizations across the country. This year's funding has increased significantly to a total of $454.5 million.

The intent of the NSGP is to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. Since 2019, the District's Interfaith Preparedness and Advisory Group has brought together the Mayor's Office of Religious Affairs (MORA), the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and HSEMA to facilitate collaboration among the District's faith-based communities. IPAG's work includes strengthening cybersecurity, information sharing efforts related to hate-based threats, and webinars on grant funding to build preparedness in faith-based organizations.

In FY25, the Deputy Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Justice will also release a notice of funding opportunity for a non-profit security grant to support religious institutions.

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