Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) announced today that the county is committing $900,000 to help protect nonprofit organizations that have been victims of hate crimes or are at high risk of such crimes. OEMHS will manage the FY24 Nonprofit Security Grant, which organizations can use to reduce their security expenses.
Nonprofit organizations can apply for up to $20,000 per facility, and funds must be used over a 12-month period. Eligible organizations include community-based nonprofit service providers, houses of worship or other faith-based organizations with facilities located in the county.
“Montgomery County is proud to be one of the most culturally diverse communities in the country. We celebrate inclusion and we are committed to supporting our neighbors of all religions, races and ethnicities,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “However, individuals and organizations within our community continue to face threats of harm motivated by hate. These grants will provide nonprofit and faith-based organizations with additional funding to strengthen the security of their facilities and promote safety within the communities they serve. This investment is an affirmation of Montgomery County’s support for its diverse population, and I encourage all concerned organizations in Montgomery County to apply for these grants.”
Eligible nonprofit organizations can request funds by completing the application form. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 10. An information session about the grant program will be held on October 18 at 7 p.m. Attend the virtual meeting or watch the recording of the information session on the FY2024 Nonprofit Security Grant Program. https://mcmdgrants.smapply.org/prog/FY24NonprofitSecurity/
The full text of the program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the online application, an online information session, links to other training events and other resources are available on the Montgomery County Grants Management Office website – Grant Applications.
The County Council approved $900,000 to fund the Nonprofit Security Grant Program as part of the county’s operating budget for fiscal year 2024, which took effect in July.
“We have heard repeated requests from worshippers and faith leaders of all denominations for increased funding to meet security needs. This $900,000 commitment reflects our promise to devote real resources to our efforts to protect residents from acts of hate and violence, at a time when we are seeing an alarming rise in bias-related incidents,” said County Council President Evan Glass. “This grant funding will help provide resources to nonprofit and faith-based organizations facing such heightened threats. We must continue to promote safety and security and to fight hate-related crimes, so that all of our residents and visitors feel welcome in our community.”
In addition to the grant funding, OEMHS and the Montgomery County Police Department continue to provide security support to organizations that say they need help. The county offers classes, assessments and training sessions specifically designed for nonprofit and faith-based institutions.
“Together with our partners at the Montgomery County Police Department, OEMHS offers security training to help institutions assess and better secure their facilities, develop response plans for threats and emergencies, and prepare to protect themselves and their communities,” said Luke Hodgson, OEMHS Director. “Our goal is to foster a safer environment for local nonprofit organizations and religious institutions, and the communities they serve, which are too often the target of hate crimes.”
Grant applications will be reviewed by an independent panel organized by the Grants Management Office. The panel will include neutral, qualified individuals from Montgomery County government, selected for their experience in the grant program’s subject area, grant administration or project management. Panel members will review and score applicants’ proposals on a 100-point scale, based on the criteria and priorities established in the grant program, with a cumulative ranking influencing the final awards.
For any questions about the application process, you can contact Ali Hoy, outgoing grants program manager at the Grants Management Office, by calling 240-773-3384 or emailing ali.hoy@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Find more information and apply for the FY2024 Nonprofit Security Grant Program by visiting the Grants Management Office website.
