How much funding does FEMA NSGP provide?

FEMA NSGP awards Up to $200K per site (max 3 sites / $600K per org).

Who can apply for FEMA NSGP grants?

To be eligible, your organization must: Hold 501(c)(3) status (or be described under 501(c)(3), as houses of worship are automatically) Be able to describe a risk of terrorist or extremist attack — via prior incidents, threats, your organization's id…

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

FEMA / U.S. Department of Homeland Security

FEMA funding for physical security at nonprofits facing elevated risk of attack — houses of worship, religious schools, community centers, and other 501(c)(3)s.

Federal 501(c)(3) onlyUp to $200K per siteApply through your statePhysical security

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Funding Amount

Up to $200K per site (max 3 sites / $600K per org)

Deadline

Annual — states set deadlines ahead of FEMA’s (Jul 24 in FY26)

Grant Type

federal

Overview

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is the one major federal grant built exclusively for 501(c)(3) organizations. FEMA awards roughly $300 million per year for target hardening — physical security improvements at nonprofits that face a heightened risk of terrorist or extremist attack. In practice, the largest applicant groups are houses of worship, religious schools, and community centers, but any at-risk 501(c)(3) can apply.

The program has two tracks, each funded at about $150 million:

NSGP-UA — for nonprofits located within designated high-risk urban areas
NSGP-S — for nonprofits everywhere else, allocated through each state

Funds pay for things like security cameras, access control, reinforced doors and windows, lighting, fencing and barriers, alarm and notification systems, security training, and (within limits) contracted security personnel.

The structural quirk to understand: you never apply to FEMA directly. Every nonprofit applies as a subapplicant through its State Administrative Agency (SAA), which collects, scores, and forwards applications to FEMA. Your real deadline is your state's, which typically falls weeks before FEMA's federal deadline.

Eligibility

To be eligible, your organization must:

Hold 501(c)(3) status (or be described under 501(c)(3), as houses of worship are automatically)
Be able to describe a risk of terrorist or extremist attack — via prior incidents, threats, your organization's ideology/mission/beliefs, or the community you serve
Own or operate a physical facility where the security work would happen
Have a UEI from SAM.gov (allow several weeks for first-time registration)

Each organization can request up to $200,000 per site for up to three sites ($600,000 total). Historically, demand far exceeds funding — well-scored applications from first-time applicants and houses of worship are explicitly prioritized in recent funding cycles.

How to Apply

Find your SAA via FEMA's NSGP page and get on its mailing list — states run their own webinars and set their own (earlier) deadlines.
Register for a UEI at SAM.gov if you don't have one.
Get a vulnerability assessment of your facility. A free option: a CISA Protective Security Advisor or your state's assessment program. The assessment anchors everything else.
Write the Investment Justification (IJ) — the core application document. It links your risk narrative to the specific improvements you're requesting and their costs. Mission, risk, vulnerabilities, and proposed projects must tell one coherent story.
Submit to your SAA before the state deadline. The SAA scores and forwards applications to FEMA.
Awards are typically announced in the fall, with a 36-month period of performance. If you miss this year, use the assessment to apply again — repeat applicants score better.

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