When it comes to installing an emergency management alert system, many organizations see a clear need and benefit but are held back by limited financial resources. Fortunately, there are a number of federal grant programs available to schools and nonprofit organizations to bolster onsite security.
Here, we list six grant programs offered by federal agencies that may help you cover all or much of the cost of making physical security enhancements, including an emergency response platform. SOS Technologies can help clients navigate the sometimes complicated process of applying for these federal grants.
Note that because of the timing of the federal government’s fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, the application deadlines for several of these grant programs are fast approaching, so you may need to act quickly on current-year funding opportunities — or keep your eyes peeled for new funding rounds for fiscal 2025. It’s also worth noting that some of the programs, as we note below, require that you partner with a law enforcement agency, unit of government, or public government agency as the eligible awardee.
Be aware that state and local governments may also offer emergency preparedness grants, and we are happy to help you identify and apply for those.
1. Nonprofit Security Grant Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is offering a total of $274.5 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funds for fiscal 2024, which runs through Sept. 30. The amount is evenly divided between two different grant types that basically come down to whether you are located in or outside of a federally recognized high-risk urban area — what the government refers to as an urban area security initiative, or UASI.
Grants from the NSGP are intended for “target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk” of attacks from terrorist organizations or extremists.
Under NSGP, nonprofits are considered sub-applicants, meaning they must apply to their State Administrative Agency, which receives and distributes the funding. The full list of SAAs is here; each has its own deadline for applying.
Eligibility is contingent upon meeting the federal definition of a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit and demonstrating, through the application process, that you are at risk for an attack.
2. Homeland Security Grant Program
Also administered by FEMA, the Homeland Security Grant Program offers $927 million in available funds to prevent terrorist attacks “and other hazards” (a further $81 million under the program is earmarked for projects involving the U.S,. international land or water borders). While this grant is targeted primarily toward state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, it’s also open to nonprofits.
This program also follows the model of SAA as only entities that can apply and distribute funds, meaning extra coordination is necessary. The deadline for fiscal year 2024 funds is June 24.
3. Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grants
Offered by the Department of Homeland Security, the TVTP grants are open to nonprofits and higher education institutions for projects to prevent targeted violence and terrorism. Awards range from $50,000 to $1.5 million, though with an application deadline of May 17, this one may need to wait until fiscal 2025.
A full list of applicant resources is available here.
4. STOP School Violence Program
Offered by the Department of Justice, the STOP School Violence Program “is designed to improve school safety by providing students, teachers, and staff with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and prevent acts of violence,” including technology solutions. The grant program includes a category open to nonprofits, Native American tribal governments, private colleges and K-12 schools, and independent school districts. Grants awards go up to $1 million, including no-cost training and technical assistance.
The deadline to apply for FY 2024 funding is June 20.
5. School Violence Prevention Program
The SVPP grants are offered by the Justice Department’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program and were created as part of the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018.
There’s a maximum of $500,000 per award, with a local 25% cash match required. Funding is made available to law enforcement agencies, units of local government (including school districts), and public government agencies.
Funding for the current fiscal year closes June 17, though there is a two-step application process that also involves a June 10 application deadline.
6. SchoolSafety.gov
Our final example is actually a grant finder tool, updated regularly, for safety projects open to K-12 schools. Users are asked to take a quiz to view a list of grants tailored to their specific needs. Or, you can review all available opportunities in a grants library.
If you’d like help investigating emergency management preparedness grants, or to discuss the SmartSOS platform, contact SOS Technologies today.