Funds aid Ohio faith-based, nonprofit site security upgrades

Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) said the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) allocated up to $2.4 million to help Ohio faith-based and nonprofit venues upgrade security.

The allotment would benefit synagogues, churches, religious education facilities, and charity organizations across Ohio during FY 2021 as a means of helping to bolster facilities against a potential terrorist attack and acts of hate.

“With an $100,000 increase in funding, it’s clear that Ohio is benefiting from the bipartisan work we’ve done in Congress to ensure that more and more synagogues, religious and cultural institutions, and nonprofit organizations have the resources and training they need to secure their facilities,” said Portman, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “I’m proud to have led the effort in Congress to both authorize the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and significantly increase its funding. Threats to houses of worship and other religious community sites have continued to increase, and we must do everything we can to protect them in Ohio and across our country.”

Authorities noted last year Portman joined Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) in announcing their Protecting Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations From Terrorism Act had been signed into law. The measure authorizes $75 million annually for five years, from FYs 2020-2024, for the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).

Funding may be used for target-hardening activities, training for personnel, and any other appropriate activity defined by the FEMA Administrator.