Churches and faith-based nonprofits face a real and growing threat environment. Synagogue shootings, mosque attacks, arson at black churches — the Department of Homeland Security has explicitly recognized that religious institutions are among the highest-risk targets for terrorism and targeted violence in the United States.
And yet most churches operate on tight budgets, and security improvements — cameras, access control, reinforced doors, communication systems — can easily run into tens of thousands of dollars.
There's good news: you don't have to fund it alone. The federal government has already awarded over $454 million in security grant funding specifically to faith-based institutions through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). Awards can reach $150,000 per site, and the next open grant cycle — FY2026 — opens in spring or summer 2025.
This guide walks you through the entire process — eligibility, timeline, what to prepare, and how to write a compelling application.
What Is NSGP?
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is administered by FEMA and funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It provides grant funding to nonprofit organizations that are at risk of terrorist or extremist attack, with a focus on physical security enhancements — target hardening, not staffing.
In FY2025, Congress appropriated $274.5 million total:
- NSGP-UA (Urban Area): $137.25 million — for nonprofits in designated high-threat urban areas
- NSGP-OSA (Outside Urban Areas): $137.25 million — for nonprofits in rural and suburban locations
Both funding pools are separate. Your church applies through the same process — whichever pool your area falls into determines which bucket your application goes into. If you're not in a designated urban area, you apply for NSGP-OSA.
Is Your Church Eligible?
The short answer: most churches and religious organizations qualify, but there are specific criteria.
To be eligible as a subapplicant, your organization must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — churches generally qualify as religious nonprofits
- Be located in a designated high-risk area — this includes most major metros and many suburban/rural counties; check FEMA's eligibility maps for your state
- Demonstrate that your organization faces a risk of terrorist or extremist attack — religious institutions, civil rights organizations, and community centers are explicitly recognized as high-risk categories
- Have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) — issued through SAM.gov (free to obtain)
- Be registered in SAM.gov and maintain an active registration
Note: NSGP does not fund security activities for normal crime prevention — the program is specifically scoped around terrorism and targeted violence threats. This is an important distinction for your application.
Understanding Federal Fiscal Years
Before diving into the application, it helps to understand the federal calendar. The U.S. government runs on an October–September fiscal year:
- FY2025: October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025
- FY2026: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026
- FY2027: October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
NSGP NOFOs are typically published in the spring or summer, during the fiscal year they fund. This means the FY2025 cycle ran from roughly April through summer 2025. The FY2026 cycle — with new funding and new state deadlines — will open in spring or summer 2026.
The Application Timeline
Here's the critical timing issue that trips up many churches: the federal deadline means nothing by itself. FEMA sets a national deadline, but your actual submission deadline is set by your State Administrative Agency (SAA) — and that date is typically earlier than the federal deadline.
For the FY2026 cycle (opening in spring or summer 2025), aim for this timeline:
- September–October 2025 — Monitor FEMA and your SAA for the NOFO release. Confirm your SAA contact and get their specific deadline.
- 4–8 weeks before your SAA deadline — Begin preparing your Investment Justification (see below)
- 2–4 weeks before deadline — Submit draft for internal review
- By SAA deadline — Final submission through FEMA's Non-Disaster Grant System (NDGS)
If you're reading this in spring 2026, FY2026 applications will likely be open or opening soon. Contact your SAA to confirm whether your state is accepting applications and what the final date is. Don't wait — most states close their windows 4–6 weeks after the NOFO drops.
Step-by-Step: The Application Process
Step 1: Find Your State Administrative Agency (SAA)
FEMA maintains a list of SAA contacts by state. This is your first and most important call. Find your state at fema.gov/grants/preparedness/state-administrative-agency-contacts.
Your SAA will tell you:
- Your state's application deadline
- Whether they are accepting applications right now
- Any state-specific requirements or forms
- How to submit (some states use their own portal, others use FEMA's NDGS)
Step 2: Get Your UEI and Confirm SAM.gov Registration
If your church doesn't already have a Unique Entity Identifier, you need one. Go to sam.gov and register (it's free). The registration process takes 2–3 business days to process.
Important: SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually. Check that your registration is active before you apply — lapsed registrations are a common reason applications are rejected.
Step 3: Write Your Investment Justification (IJ)
This is the core of your application. The Investment Justification is a structured document (FEMA provides a template) where you explain:
- Who you are — your organization, your mission, your congregation/community served
- What risk you face — this is critical. You must demonstrate that your organization is at risk of terrorist or extremist attack. Reference real-world threats against similar institutions. Mention your location, threat environment, and past incidents if applicable.
- What you are requesting funding for — specific security enhancements, itemized and justified
- Why these investments are necessary — link each item to a specific vulnerability or risk you identified
Writing a strong IJ:
- Be specific. "Install cameras at three entrances" beats "improve surveillance."
- Tie every item back to a threat or vulnerability. Don't ask for cameras because cameras are good — ask for them because your rear parking lot entrance is unmonitored and visible from the street.
- Reference the CISA Church Security Guidelines and FEMA's Houses of Worship security recommendations where applicable.
- If your church has ever received threats, had vandalism, or experienced any incident, document it.
Step 4: Submit Through NDGS
Once your IJ is ready, submit through FEMA's Non-Disaster Grant System (NDGS). Your SAA may handle this for you — confirm their process. Double-check that all attachments are included before submitting.
Is Your Church in Ohio? Here's What You Need to Know
Ohio's SAA for NSGP is the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA). Churches in Ohio should contact Ohio EMA directly to confirm current application status and state-specific requirements. The process is the same as outlined above — find your SAA contact, get your UEI, write your Investment Justification, and submit by the state deadline.
Ohio has historically been an active participant in the NSGP program, and faith-based organizations across the state have successfully received awards. If your church is in Ohio and you're unsure whether your area qualifies, contact Ohio EMA — they can confirm eligibility and walk you through the process.
Outside of Ohio?
Regardless of what state you're in, the application framework is identical. The key difference is your SAA — every state administers the grant through its own emergency management agency, and each sets its own internal deadline. Resources like FEMA's SAA contact list, SAM.gov, and the NDGS portal work the same way nationally.
If you're outside Ohio and need help identifying your SAA or working through the application, reach out to us — we can point you in the right direction even if we're not in your state.
What NSGP Funds (And What It Doesn't)
Eligible Expenses
- Cameras and video surveillance systems
- Access control systems — card readers, electronic locks, key fobs
- Physical barriers — bollards, security doors, window film, reinforced entry points
- Lighting improvements — exterior security lighting, motion-activated lights
- Alarm systems
- Communication equipment — two-way radios, mass notification systems
- Security assessment costs — hiring a professional to assess your facility
- Perimeter security — fencing, vehicle barriers
- Training — security training for staff and volunteers, up to a limited amount
NOT Eligible
- Security personnel / staffing costs — you can't fund a security guard payroll with NSGP money
- General operational expenses
- Food, equipment for non-security purposes
- Retroactive purchases — items must be purchased after the award is granted, not before
How to Maximize Your Chances
NSGP is competitive. In FY2025, $274.5 million was split across the country — each state gets a portion, and nonprofits within that state compete for a share. Here's how to make your application stand out:
1. Document Your Risk Thoroughly
The IJ is scored based on risk and capability. The more specific and credible your risk narrative, the better. Reference FBI hate crime statistics, DHS advisory bulletins, local law enforcement threat assessments, or any incidents at your facility or similar organizations in your area.
2. Get a Professional Security Assessment First
If you don't have one, a professional security assessment creates the foundation for your IJ. It identifies your vulnerabilities, and referencing a third-party assessment adds credibility to your application. Patton Security offers facility security assessments — contact us to learn more.
3. Match Funds If Possible
Some state programs prioritize applications that include matching funds — even a small commitment from your church budget signals commitment and capacity. This isn't always required, but it helps.
4. Build Your Law Enforcement Relationship
Applications that include a letter of support from local law enforcement or fusion center tend to score better. Introduce yourself to your local police department's community liaison or fusion center before you apply.
5. Apply Early and Follow Up
States that have implemented NSGP in past years often give priority to applicants they've worked with before. Contact your SAA early, attend any pre-application webinars they offer, and follow up to confirm your submission was received and is complete.
Common Mistakes Churches Make
- Missing the state deadline — the federal deadline is a red herring; your SAA date is what matters
- Weak risk narrative — "bad things could happen" is not a compelling case; cite specific threat data
- Requesting ineligible items — re-read the eligible/ineligible lists before you finalize your budget
- Letting SAM.gov registration lapse — verify it now, not the week before the deadline
- Vague Investment Justification — "improve security at our building" won't score well; itemize everything
Ready to Apply? Start Here.
NSGP is one of the most generous security funding sources available to churches, and many faith-based organizations leave this money on the table simply because they don't know the grant exists or assume the process is too complicated.
It doesn't have to be. With the right preparation and a well-structured Investment Justification, your church can access up to $150,000 in federal security funding.
If your church is ready to apply, the first step is calling your State Administrative Agency. Make that call today. Then come back to this guide and work through the Investment Justification methodically.
Need help with your security assessment, risk narrative, or Investment Justification? Patton Security works with churches throughout Ohio on grant-funded security projects — from the initial assessment through the full application process. Contact us for a free consultation.