Nonprofit security grants: details and training

New York Nonprofit Homeland Security Grant application will be available next week and due mid-April 2012 Grant workshops & webinar scheduled for Monday, March 12, 2012

Nonprofit Security Grant Application Workshop Monday, March 12, 2012 Join us in person in Manhattan or Westchester or via a live webinar of the workshop on your desktop computer (you will need a highspeed internet connection and speakers or earphones). Manhattan: 11:30AM-1:00PM, 130 East 59th Street@Lexington Ave. Westchester: 7:30-8:30 PM, Scarsdale Synagogues-Temples Tremont and Emanu-El, 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale Webinar (Sign-on instructions will be sent as reservations are received). Note: Reservations are a must. Click here to reserve. For further information call David Pollock at the JCRC-NY at (212) 983-4800, ext. 132 or email him here. We would like to thank our colleagues at the New York State Office of Homeland Security and all those involved with the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) for helping us provide this important webinar.

Overview: Nonprofit Security Grant Program FY 2012 There have been minimal changes from last year. The basics follow: Grant amounts. Approximately 150 nonprofit organizations nationally will share the $10,000,000 allocated to this grant. Eligible applicants will be able to apply for up to $75,000 to bolster their physical security and conduct preparedness training. There is no match requirement this year. Eligibility. Applicants must be tax exempt organizations (under IRS Section 501(c)(3)) located in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk or Westchester. Unless a New York nonprofit is located within these jurisdictions it is not eligible to apply. Those located outside New York should click here to check whether they are in an eligible jurisdiction. Equipment. The grant funds two categories of security equipment and activities: Physical Security Enhancement Equipment; and/or Inspection and Screening Systems. Any improvements requested under this program must fall within one of these equipment categories. A more detailed list can be found here. Training. Nonprofit organization personnel may only use FY 2012 NSGP funds to attend security-related training courses and programs within the United States. Allowable training topics are limited to the protection of critical infrastructure key resources, including physical and cyber security, target hardening, and terrorism awareness/employee preparedness. Training conducted using FY 2012 NSGP funds must address a specific threat and/or vulnerability, as identified in the nonprofit’s Investment Justification. Previous grantees/new applicants. Organizations that received grants in previous years are eligible to apply again for a FY 2012 award. However, new applicants receive a bonus point on their ranking score. Investment Justification. The key element of the application is the Investment Justification (IJ) which can be viewed here. Applicants are required to submit their answers via an Excel spreadsheet (available when the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services releases its Request for Applications). The questions and requirements are substantially the same as in past years. Ongoing guidance. Remember, check out the JCRC-NY's Security Grant Website often for suggestions on how to start collecting information (e.g., your vulnerability assessment, DUNS number, etc.) even before the application is released. For further information. The Security Grant Website has a wealth of information and tips. Please check it first. If you need further information, call David Pollock at the JCRC-NY at (212) 983-4800, ext. 132 or email him here. Caution. If you choose to download the DHS guidance here, be prepared to be confused. The "Grantee" referred to in the guidance is New York State. Our SAA is the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (NY DHSES). Nonprofit organizations will have to submit applications to the NY DHSES to be evaluated, prioritized and forwarded to Washington. Kudos to the movers and shakers. The fact that there is a FY2012 program is due to the ongoing work and incredible professionalism of a coalition, led by the Jewish Federations of North America/JFNA and its Senior Director, Legislative Affairs, Rob Goldberg (with JCRC-NY and UJA-Federation playing active roles). The JFNA Washington Office, directed by William Daroff, is the lynchpin in this process and deserves our collective thanks. We owe a special debt of gratitude to those dedicated public servants who actually administer the grants and answer our questions, especially Shelley Wahrlich, Steve Tierney and Valerie Bloomer. This program could not be successful without their dedication, patience and expertise.