HAMILTON, NJ - The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) today announced the opening of the application window for its competitive fiscal year 2027 New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NJ NSGP), with applications due by 11:59 p.m. on September 11. Seven million dollars in funding is available to help strengthen eligible nonprofit organizations’ security against potential terrorism-related threats.

The NJ NSGP provides funding to eligible New Jersey nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status that are considered to be at the greatest risk of a terrorist attack. Two funding opportunities are designed to improve the safety and security of nonprofit facilities across the state:

• The NJ NSGP – Security Personnel (NJ NSGP-SP) program provides grants of up to $20,000 to support the hiring of additional active law enforcement officers or registered security officers. Funding is intended to address identified security risks and may not be used to replace an organization's existing security personnel.

• The NJ NSGP – Target Hardening Equipment (NJ NSGP-THE) program provides grants of up to $100,000 for the purchase and installation of approved security equipment, including physical security improvements designed to protect nonprofit facilities.

“Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in the strength and resilience of our communities in New Jersey,” said NJOHSP Director Thomas Hauck. “Protecting those organizations requires strong collaboration and a shared commitment to preparedness. By investing in preventive security measures, we are helping nonprofits build resilience, address evolving security challenges, and continue serving the people who rely on them with greater confidence.”

The grant program requires organizations to submit a completed application/investment justification, a current vulnerability risk assessment (VRA), and proof of its tax-exempt status, where applicable. A VRA identifies security vulnerabilities at a facility and must include current photographs of the property and the specific areas where security upgrades are being requested.

NJOHSP has received more than 500 applications during each of the past several grant cycles, and demand for funding continues to grow. Since the program’s inception, NJOHSP has awarded more than $38 million to more than 700 nonprofit organizations throughout New Jersey to support security enhancements.

Eligible nonprofit organizations may apply annually for both the NJ NSGP-SP and NJ NSGP-THE programs; however, each organization may receive funding for only one State grant program per fiscal year. NJOHSP gives preference to eligible applicants that have not received a federal or State security grant for target hardening equipment during the previous two grant cycles.

A panel of security experts will evaluate applications based on an applicant’s demonstrated threat, vulnerabilities, and the potential consequences of a terrorist attack.

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on September 11. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.njohsp.gov/grants/state-new-jersey-nonprofit-security-grant-program.