New York Application Package Released--Due April 16
Updated: March 22, 2012
David Pollock will not be in the office over Passover and will have limited access to email. If you have a question or need assistance click here to send an email.Click here to get the JCRC-NY's Nonprofit Security Grant Program 2012 Checklist for NY applicants. It has step-by-step instructions and links. |
The FY 2012 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) has been posted on the DHSES website and is ready for immediate action by interested eligible nonprofits. A maximum of up to $75,000 in grant funds can be applied for. The application package and other required documents can be found at http://www.dhses.ny.gov/grants/rfa-uasi-nsgp.cfm .
The due date for applications is 11:59 PM on April 16, 2012. Any applications received after that date and time will not be considered.
Please note that only eligible nonprofits from the NYC UASI region (includes New York City and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester) may apply.
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.
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."
We will schedule trainings and webinars. For further information contact David Pollock here. and the Jewish Federations of North America at: www.jewishfederations.org/homelandsecurity.
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. Jarrod Bernstein, Director of Jewish Outreach at the White House, was helpful above and beyond the call of duty.
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.