Rumor has it that the Nonprofit Security Grant Program guidance will be released on or about May 25th, but that’s just a rumor. If past experience holds, New York organizations will receive 40-50 grants.

In preparation for the announcement, the Grants Division of the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency prepared the following for its constituents. Their advice closely tracks JCRC’s advice: start your process with the steps below (adapted for NY). Of course the official guidance the the final word on the program.

Interim Guidance

The FY2013 Federal Budget for DHS/FEMA includes $10,000,000 for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) – the same amount as last year, which is to provide funding to eligible nonprofit entities in major urban areas for physical security upgrades. [The allocation will be further reduced by about 5% due to sequestration.]

Due to significant delays in Congress approving the federal budget this year, the grant guidance and application package for the FY2013 NSGP has not yet been released by DHS/FEMA. However we anticipate that the grant application package will be released in mid to late May, and that applications will be due very quickly after that.

For that reason, we encourage all interested applicants to begin preparing for the short application turn-around time by gathering together the necessary information as soon as possible.

The application template has not yet been released by DHS/FEMA, but based on prior year grant guidance, the following information will likely be requested – prospective applicants should begin putting this information together now in order to have it ready for the 2013 application (see the 2012 Investment Justification/application here).

NOTE: In all prior years, the NY Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has been the sole “applicant” to DHS/FEMA on behalf of all of the applications submitted by the individual nonprofit subgrantees. Our assumption is that this will remain the same in 2013.

1. Determine if your organization is eligible
   1. Must be a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization
   2. Must be located within a designated high-threat urban area [Still to be determined by DHS/FEMA, but the list from last year included NYC, Long Island and Westchester and can be seen here]
2. Find your organization’s existing Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS) or get one by calling (866-705-5711)
   1. Note – you should not have to register with the Central Contracting Registration (CCR), as long as NY DHSES is the sole applicant on behalf of the designated area.
3. Determine what your organization’s “risk” is, describing it in three concise categories:
   1. Threat. What potential terrorist threats do your organization face?
   2. Vulnerability. Based on the threats described, how vulnerable is your organization to that threat (how likely is it to succeed?) and why?
   3. Consequence. If the treat described above actually occurs, what impact would it have in terms of human casualties, property damage, and community impact?
4. Propose a project that could mitigate the “risk” described above. [In recent years the Federal portion of the grant has been capped at $75,0000]
   1. The proposed project should directly address the threat, vulnerability or consequence described.
   2. The proposed costs must only be in the following categories described in FEMA’s Authorized Equipment List (AEL).
      1. Category 14 – Physical Security Enhancement Equipment
      2. Category 15 – Inspection and Screening Systems
      3. The link above provides an expandable list underneath those two categories – please ensure that all proposed costs can clearly be linked to specific equipment sub-items in category 14 and/or 15
      4. The proposed project budget should identify all costs (under categories 14 and 15) and add up to the total amount requested. [Federal amount, plus any additional amount provided through other sources]
      5. The proposed project should have a high-level timeline (assume sub-grant award by Sept. 01 2013, and a period of performance of no more than 21 months). Include at least 90 days in your timeline for Environmental/Historic Preservation (EHP) approval. [The award should be announced no later than September 30, 2013]

Any progress a potential applicant can make in addressing the items listed above should be able to be plugged directly into the FY2013 NSGP application template when it becomes available. With a shortened application timeframe, getting started now will help ensure timely submission of applications.

When the 2013 NSGP application package becomes available, the NY DHSES should provide the materials here.

On February 17th, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its guidance for a number of preparedness grant programs, including the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

Program Overview and Priorities
The FY 2012 NSGP provides $10,000,000 in funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack and located within one of the specific UASI-eligible Urban Areas. While this funding is provided specifically to high-risk nonprofit organizations under The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, Division D (Public Law 112-74), the program seeks to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader State and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as State and local government agencies.

JCRC comments: Congress cut the allocations of many DHS grant programs this year and the NSGP was cut from $19 million to $10 million (i.e., below the average cut). That translates to approximately 150 successful grantees nationwide. New York generally receives between 25-30% of the grants. New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties are in a UASI-eligible Urban Area; as is Newark, NJ.

In FY 2012, the total amount of funds distributed under this grant program will be $10,000,000. Each nonprofit organization must apply through their SAA (in New York, the New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services [DHSES])for up to a $75,000 grant award. The FY 2012 NSGP funds will be allocated to organizations characterized as “Section 501(c)(3)” organizations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C.) and deemed at high risk by the Secretary of DHS. Such nonprofit organizations must be located within one of the designated FY 2012 UASI-eligible Urban Areas.

JCRC comments: The maximum grant amount and the geographic eligibility remain the same as last year. Organizations not having received prior years’ NSGP funding will receive a bonus point during scoring.

Approximate timing
DHSES has not yet determined the exact dates. Their guidance is likely to be released during the first week of March and be due mid-April. Start now, there is no reason to wait.

What should you be doing now?
The JCRC is in the process of updating our guidance materials based on the new grant materials at www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants, but the changes seem to be minor. The most important components continue to be:

• “Findings from previously conducted risk assessments including threat or vulnerability”; and
• “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.”

Make sure that your vulnerability assessment is up to date. Get more information about vulnerability assessments from www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants.

The links at www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants are customized for the 2011 grant, but there seem to be only minor changes this year. Check back often for updates.

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 (with JCRC and UJA-Federation playing active roles) and its Senior Director, Legislative Affairs, Rob Goldberg. 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.

1. New release date. The release date (official commencement of the grant cycle) for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) guidelines is now tentatively  set for Tuesday, May 17th (not May 9th as previously reported). The US Department of Homeland Security sends these e sent to the states (i.e., NY Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and its sister agencies in other states) on this date. Each state must set deadlines and decide on the application process. 
2. New webinar date. The JCRC has sponsored trainings annually and those following the JCRC suggestions have a high success rate. The information provided will include tips on how to complete the Investment Justification and an introduction to the New York E-Grant application process.The JCRC webinar will now be scheduled for Monday, May 23rd at 1PM. We will assume that all who reserved for the old date will join us for this online webinar. Based on input from past participants, we are offering this session exclusively over the internet. Information applicable to all eligible applicants will be presented at the beginning of the webinar, followed by NY-specific guidance. You can reserve here.   
3. Non-recipients will have an advantage. The most significant change this coming year is that preference will be given to nonprofit organizations that have not received prior years’ funding. That doesn’t mean that past grantees cannot apply. However, they will be at a competitive disadvantage.
4. No local match this year. The local match (25% of total project costs) will remain voluntary for FY2011. This voluntary nature will be neutral in the scoring process. Making the contribution will not create a preference, and declining to contribute will not count against an application. However, where a local match can be made, it should be made, as it will save limited resources and enable additional applicants to secure grants.
5. Only slight changes in eligible areas. The number of eligible areas (64 in FY2010) is expected to change slightly. However, it should not be significantly different than in past cycles (as was the concern of some in the field. Exact eligibility requirements will not be known until after the release date.
6. Get started now. With a delay in the release of the guidelines we can expect that much more of a shorter application period. As such, we continue to advise interested agencies to draft proposals, now, based on the FY2010 guidance, and to make modifications as necessary once the FY2011 guidance is in place. Get information about the Investment Justification (the core component of your application) and download the form from last year here.

All of the information above is tentative, pending the release of the official guidance. For further information contact Dov Horwitz at horwitzd@jcrcny.org. You may obtain FY2010 guidance from the JCRC at www.jcrcny.org/securitygrants and the Jewish Federations of North America at: www.jewishfederations.org/homelandsecurity.