Federal Grants to secure Pro Life facilities from Terrorism
Pro-life pregnancy centers threatened with violent attacks can apply for federally-funded security
LifeSite Tue Jun 21, 2022 - 7:56 am EDT
(LifeSiteNews) — Amidst the ongoing violence against pro-life pregnancy centers across the country, victimized groups can apply for a Nonprofit Security Grant to fund additional security measures.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a program for nonprofit groups which are potential targets for terrorists.
“This grant provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at a high risk of terrorist attack,” reads its description on the FEMA website.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is a function of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Organizations eligible for the award must be verified as a 501(c)3 agency and identified by the Secretary of DHS as a group “at high risk of a terrorist attack.”
In addition to strengthening security at nonprofit locations, the program “also seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts”, according to the Homeland Security Grants website.
Funding could be used to cover costs of renovations, training, and maintenance efforts to increase security.
The DHS has identified vulnerable and soft targets as one main area of concern for the 2022 fiscal year, as outlined in the summary of the awards for which nonprofit organizations can apply.
The funding for the program is divided among three groups. NSGP-Urban Areas receive up to $125 million to be distributed. State areas receive the same amount to be granted to applicants who do not fall under the DHS Urban Area group. Community Project Funding (CPF) has a maximum amount of $150 thousand. The program lasts 36 months, beginning September 1, 2022. Further details are outlined in the Preparedness Grants Manual.
According to the Secure Community Network, the idea to offer security support for nonprofit groups was first introduced to Congress in 2001 by The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). The JFNA and Secure Community Network (SCN) worked together to start a Congressional education campaign in 2003. A year later, the NSGP was officially launched and remains an active function of the DHS today.
The SCN website lists the groups eligible for funding as “nonprofit organizations determined to be at high risk of a terrorist attack due to their ideology, beliefs, or mission”.
In the light of the pending announcement on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case and following the Supreme Court leak in May, pro-life pregnancy centers have been the victims of domestic terrorists. The violence is expected to continue following the official decision.
Pro-life centers may find financial support to institute more thorough security measures through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
Deadlines are inconsistent across different locations. State Administrative Agency (SAA) contact information can be found at the FEMA website along with the following steps in the application process.
https://www.homelandsecuritygrants.info/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=35094
