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Nonprofit Security Grant readiness checklist
The FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) pays for security upgrades at synagogues, churches, schools and other nonprofits. Greg Schneider, CPP, has helped over 20 nonprofits win over $3,000,000 in homeland security grants. This is the checklist he uses to see whether an organization is ready to apply.
Greg Schneider, CPPFounder, Battle Tested Solutions. Certified Protection Professional since 2007
Tick what you already have
Rules, amounts and dates change every year. Your SAA and the current Notice of Funding Opportunity on grants.gov have the final word. FEMA explains the program on its Nonprofit Security Grant Program page.
Who this checklist is for
Executive directors, rabbis, pastors, school heads and board members at nonprofits that face threats because of their faith, beliefs or mission.
If you have never applied
Start with the first four items. They take the longest to sort out.
Nonprofit Security Grant questions
Who can apply for a Nonprofit Security Grant?
Nonprofit organizations at risk of attack, such as synagogues, churches, mosques, schools and community centers. They apply as subapplicants through their State Administrative Agency, which sets the rules and deadline for its state.
Does every application need a vulnerability assessment?
Yes. The assessment shows the risks at your building, and the Investment Justification ties each security project to those risks. Greg writes the assessment and helps with the application.
How much money is available?
FEMA listed $300 million in total NSGP funding for fiscal year 2026, up from $90 million in fiscal year 2020. Amounts change every year, so check the current Notice of Funding Opportunity.
When should we start?
Months before the window opens. A UEI number, a vulnerability assessment and contractor quotes all take time, and states set deadlines earlier than FEMA does.
Get the checklist and grant season alerts
Get a printable copy of this checklist, plus an email when the next grant cycle opens so you have time to prepare.
Where Greg comes in
Every application needs a vulnerability assessment of the site. Greg writes the assessment, ranks the projects by risk and helps with the application. He spends 60 to 90 minutes on site, then enters what he collects into the grant's vulnerability assessment sheet; see how a Nonprofit Security Grant assessment works. Read Greg's background, see how a house of worship assessment works, take the free self-assessment, or book a free 15-minute call.
Start early. The site assessment, the ranked project list and the written application each take time, so the work goes best well before grant season opens.
