Non-profit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

The Non-Profit Security Grant Program provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements for non-profit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack. NSGP seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of non-profit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts. There are two funding sources appropriated for non-profit organizations:

Both the (NSGP-S) and (NSGP-UA) funds must be used for target-hardening activities, which can be accomplished through the purchase or installation of security equipment on real property (including buildings and improvements) owned or leased by the non-profit organization. Security enhancements must be for the locations that the non-profit occupies at the time of the application, and the projects must be fully completed during the three-year performance period.

1. Eligibility Information
   
   

   The State Administrative Agency (SAA) is the only entity eligible to apply for NSGP funds on behalf of eligible nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit organizations must apply for FY 2022 NSGP through their SAA. A list of SAA points of contact is available at:

   https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/state-administrative-agency-contacts

   . Nonprofit organizations may not apply directly to DHS/FEMA for FY 2022 NSGP funds. SAAs, in coordination with the Urban Area Working Groups (UAWG) or other relevant state partners, are encouraged to notify and actively inform eligible nonprofit organizations of the availability of FY 2022 NSGP funding

   Eligible non-profit organizations are those organizations that are:

   
   
   
   
   1. Described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code. Note: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require certain organizations such as churches, mosques, and synagogues to apply for and receive a recognition of exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Such organizations are automatically exempt if they meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3). These organizations are not required to provide recognition of exemption. For organizations that the IRS requires to apply for and receive a recognition of exemption under section 501(c)(3), the state may or may not require recognition of exemption, as long as the method chosen is applied consistently.
      
      • Exemption Requirements - 501(c)(3) Organizations
      • Publication 557 (01/2022), Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization
        
      • Charities and Nonprofits
        
        
   2. Able to demonstrate, through the application, that the organization is at high risk of a terrorist attack; and
      
      
   3. For NSGP-UA, located within an FY 2022 UASI-designated urban area; or for NSGP-S, located outside of an FY 2022 UASI-designated urban area.
      
      
   NSGP-UA Maximum Award - Nonprofit organizations must apply through their respective State Administrative Agency (SAA). Sub-applicants with one site may apply for up to $150,000 for that site. 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. If a sub-applicant applies for projects at multiple sites, regardless of whether the projects are similar in nature, it must include an assessment of the vulnerability and risk unique to each site. Failure to do so may be cause for rejection of the application.
   
   NSGP-S Maximum Award - Nonprofit organizations must apply through their respective SAA. The SAA may determine an award cap for individual subawards. However, the cap may not exceed $450,000 per sub-applicant, as follows: 1) sub-applicants with one site may apply for up to $150,000 for that site; 2) 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. If a sub-applicant applies for projects at multiple sites, regardless of whether the projects are similar in nature, it must include an assessment of the vulnerability and risk unique to each site. Failure to do so may be cause for rejection of the application.
   
   
2. Application and Submission Information
   
   

   The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Illinois Terrorism Task Force, receives an announcement, from the Grants Program Directorate/Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, of a grant opportunity for non-profit organizations in one of the UASI-eligible urban areas (UA), including the Chicago Urban Area of Cook, and a separate grant program for non-profits outside of Cook County (S). The Non-profit Security Grant Program (NSGP) will provide an amount to be determined nationally

   to eligible 501© (3) organizations who are deemed at high-risk of a potential terrorist attack.
   
   
   Grants of up to $150,000.00

   will be awarded to eligible non-profit organizations through their State Administrative Agency (SAA) according to criteria that include:

   • For NSGP-UA, state and federal verification that the nonprofit organization is located within one of the FY 2022 UASI-designated urban areas; and for NSPG-S, verification that the nonprofit is located outside of one of the FY 2022 UASI designated urban areas;
     
   • Identification and substantiation of current or persistent 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, and/or mission as: 1) an ideology-based/spiritual/religious; 2) educational; 3) medical; or 4) other nonprofit entity;
     
   • 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 or recovering from terrorist attacks;
     
   • Findings from previously conducted threat and/or vulnerability assessments;
     
   • Integration of nonprofit preparedness with broader state and local preparedness efforts;
     
   • Complete and feasible IJ for each site that addresses an identified risk unique to that site, including the assessed threat, vulnerability, and consequence of the risk, and proposes building or sustaining a core capability identified in the National Preparedness Goal; and
     
   • History of prior funding under NSGP.
     
     
   IEMA, as the State Administrative Agency, will issue these competitive grants to applicants that are approved by the Grants Program Directorate/FEMA. The period of performance is 36 months.
   
   The NSGP funds must be used for target-hardening activities, which can be accomplished through the purchase or installation of security equipment on real property (including buildings and improvements) owned or leased by the nonprofit organization. Allowable equipment is limited to four categories of select items on the Authorized Equipment List (AEL): 1) Physical Security Enhancement Equipment (Category 14), e.g., alarm systems, reinforced security doors, barriers/fences, 2) Inspection and Screening Systems (Category 15), e.g., walk-through magnetometers or conveyor-belt x-ray systems to screen personnel and packages, 3) AEL 06CP-01-PORT Handheld Radios, and 4) 03OE-03-MEGA Public Warning Systems.
   
   A completed grant application package must include the following 6 items:
   
   
   • NSGP Investment Justification IJ-Application with AEL Numbers included in the Target Hardening bottom section. Please save the IJ with the title as: NSGP_2022_S_IL_NAME OF ORGANIZATION
     
   • Vulnerability/Risk Assessment (any format deemed appropriate by applicant)
     
   • Mission Statement (any format deemed appropriate by applicant)
     
   • Attachment A Application Contact Information (Must include Zip + 4 digits)
     
   • IRS Form W-9 Form
     
   • Tax-Exempt Organization Statement
     
     
3. Application Review Information
   
   

   Prior to making a federal award, the federal awarding agency is required by 31 U.S.C. § 3321 and 41 U.S.C. § 2313 to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information. Therefore application evaluation criteria may include the following risk based considerations of the applicant: (1) financial stability; (2) quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards; (3) history of performance in managing federal award; (4) reports and findings from audits; and (5) ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements

   
    
   

   FY 2022 NSGP applications are to be submitted by non-profit organizations to their respective SAA and the UAWG. NSGP applications will be reviewed through a two-phased State and Federal review process for completeness, adherence to programmatic guidelines, feasibility, and how well the IJ (project description and justification) addresses the identified risk.

   
   
   Criteria 
   
   
   • For NSGP-UA, state and federal verification that the nonprofit organization is located within one of the FY 2022 UASI-designated urban areas; and for NSPG-S, verification that the nonprofit is located outside of one of the FY 2022 UASI- designated urban areas;
     
   • Identification and substantiation of current or persistent 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, and/or mission as: 1) an ideology-based/spiritual/religious; 2) educational; 3) medical; or 4) other nonprofit entity;
     
   • 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 or recovering from terrorist attacks;
     
   • Findings from previously conducted threat and/or vulnerability assessments;
     
   • Integration of nonprofit preparedness with broader state and local preparedness efforts;
     
   • Complete and feasible IJ for each site that addresses an identified risk unique to that site, including the assessed threat, vulnerability, and consequence of the risk, and proposes building or sustaining a core capability identified in the National Preparedness Goal; and
     
   • History of prior funding under NSGP.
     
   
   
4. Award Administration Information
   
   Once FEMA has determined the non-profit organizations who will receive funding through the Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP), the State Administrative Agency (SAA) is notified. The SAA enters into grant agreements with the non-profit organizations selected for funding by FEMA in order to complete the approved projects.
   
   
5. State Awarding Agency Contact(s)
   
   For more information on Non-Profit Security Grant Program, please contact Tammy Porter at: Illinois Emergency Management Agency, 2200 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62703, Phone (217) 557-4831, Fax (217) 558-1335, Email: Tammy.D.Porter@illinois.gov