The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently awarded more than 600 faith-based organizations and other nonprofit organizations $110 million in funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
The program awards grants for security enhancements such as access control systems, additional warning and alert systems, gates and lighting, security cameras, and training staff.
“Whether they pray in a church, a mosque or a synagogue, all Americans should be able to practice their religion without fear of terrorism and violence,” a senior Department of Homeland Security official said. “Under President (Donald) Trump and Secretary (Kristie) Noem’s leadership, DHS is laser-focused on ensuring the safety of the American people. Instead of using grant money to fund climate change initiatives and political pet projects, we are using this money to protect American communities — especially places where people gather in prayer.”
This round of grants is the final round of the $210 million Congress appropriated in the National Security Supplemental. It was awarded to a diverse array of religious organizations including Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh institutions.
The first round of funding, $100 million, was awarded in June to more than 500 Jewish faith-based organizations following the Boulder, Colo., terror attack and the murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers.