Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP): Urban Area

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP): Urban Area

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: North Carolina Emergency Management
Amount: US $200,000 - US $600,000
Last Updated: November 01, 2025

Summary

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) offers federal funding for security enhancements to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in high-risk areas, such as the Charlotte Area in North Carolina. With a focus on target hardening, organizations can apply for up to $150,000 per site to strengthen their defenses against potential terrorist threats. This program aims to integrate nonprofit security efforts with state and local preparedness initiatives, fostering collaboration among community and government entities.

Overview

Background The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack. NSGP also seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts. NSGP is a competitive federal grant program from DHS/FEMA administered through the North Carolina Dept. of Public Safety (NCDPS) / North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) in the state of NC. NSGP - Urban Area (NSGP-UA) NSGP-UA funds nonprofit organizations located within Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) designated high-risk urban areas, which is defined as the Charlotte Area in NC. Primary Purpose Target Hardening.  Some example projects include contracted security, fencing, lighting, cameras, security/reinforced doors, window treatments, communications equipment, security alarm systems, security plans, and staff training and exercises. The intent is to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. It is also 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 Eligible nonprofit sub-applicants with one site may apply for up to $150,000 for that site. Nonprofit sub-applicants with multiple sites may apply for up to $150,000 per site for up to three sites, for a maximum of $450,000 per sub-applicant per state and funding source. For example, a nonprofit organization with locations in multiple states may apply for up to three sites within each state, per funding source, for a maximum of six sites per state (three under NSGP-S, and three under NSGP-UA).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To be eligible for the NSGP, a nonprofit organization must:Meet the description under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) of 1986 and be exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code.For NSGP-UA, be located within one of the UASI-designated high-risk urban areas (Charlotte area); and Be able to demonstrate, through the application, that the organization is at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack.  The following counties are considered part of the Charlotte Area UASI in NC for NSGP:Cabarrus, Lincoln, Catawba, Mecklenburg, Gaston, Stanly, Iredell, UnionAllowable CostsAllowable costs include contract security, as well as planning, equipment, training, and exercises. Below are some examples:Planning – activities related to the development of plans such as:Security Risk Management Plans;Continuity of Operations Plans; andResponse Plans.Equipment –those items listed in the Authorized Equipment List as allowable under NSGP.TrainingActive shooter training; andSecurity training for employees or members of the organization.Response exercises. For a complete description on allowable activities, see the NSGP NOFO and the Preparedness Grants Manual.