Urban Areas Security Initiative - Nonprofit Security Grant

Grants of up to $75,000 will be awarded to eligible nonprofit organizations through their State Administrative Agency (SAA) according to criteria that include:

• Identification and substantiation (e.g. police reports or insurance claims) of prior threats or attacks against the nonprofit organization or closely-related organizations (within or outside the U.S.) by a terrorist organization, network, or cell;
• Symbolic value of a site(s) as a highly recognized national or historical institution that renders the site a possible target of international terrorism;
• Role of the applicant nonprofit organization in responding to or recovering from international terrorist attacks; and
• Findings from previously conducted risk assessments including threat or vulnerability.

The NSGP funds must be used for target-hardening activities, which can be accomplished through training or the purchase or installation of security equipment on real property owned or leased by the nonprofit organization. Allowable equipment is limited to physical security enhancements (e.g., alarm systems, bulletproof doors) or inspection/screening systems (e.g., walk-through magnetometers or conveyor-belt x-ray systems to screen personnel and packages).

Additionally, the nonprofit organization security personnel may use NSGP funds to attend security-related training courses and programs. Allowable training-related costs are limited to attendance fees for the training and related expenses. Allowable training topics include terrorism awareness/employee preparedness, physical and cyber security, and target hardening.

To apply for the FY09 UASI NSGP federal funds, each organization submitting an application must be an eligible 501(c)(3) organization who are deemed at high-risk of a potential international terrorist attack. This means that an organization must have their own 501(c)(3) number to enter on the Investment Justification.

The SAA must have proof of status (i.e. a copy of the organizations 501(c)(3) certificate or an IRS letter of recognition), as well as a valid W-9 form. This information should be submitted with the application materials (i.e. Investment Justification). It is the responsibility of the individual organization to apply for a 501(c)(3) number if you don't have one, and to make this information available to the SAA. The SAA needs either a photocopy of the Letter of Recognition or a photocopy of the 501(c)(3) certificate from each organization.

The SAA will accept applications that have the previously used 501(c)(3) number, but only applications that include a letter/affidavit saying that the organization has applied for a 501(c)(3) number, and will have this number before any federal funds are awarded. Any applications that are submitted without a 501(c)(3) number will be sent back and not accepted for review.

Eligible applicants should download the Program Guidance and Application Kit for more information. Applicants may download the Investment Justification application and grantee information templates.

New additions to FY09 UASI NSGP grant guidance include:

• Part III. Eligible Information: "Eligible nonprofit organizations are required to become members of their local Citizen Corps Council, where one exists, in order to build an integrated, comprehensive community preparedness effort in their community."
• Part IV. Application and Submission Information: The Investment Justifications can now be 5 pages SINGLE SPACED, where in FY08 they had to be double-spaced.
• Part V. Application Review Information is a new section.please review carefully.