House Omnibus adds major grant fund increase for protection of nonprofits, houses of worship

In a move hailed by U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations Agreement for FY 2022 now includes an increase of funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $250 million.

The funding, representing a 39 percent increase over 2021 levels, will go toward nonprofits and houses of worship to secure them against terrorism. FY 2021 already doubled the Nonprofit Security Grant Program’s funding, but members wrote House Appropriators earlier this year, noting that it was not enough, based on the current situation.

Last month, the Department of Homeland Security National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin raised concern about rising threats to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), other colleges and universities, Jewish facilities, and churches. It warned that such threats could inspire extremists to turn thought into violent action. Likewise, Thompson called attention to the Jan. 15 attack on Congregation Beth Israel in Texas, during which a gunman seized four hostages before they were able to escape, and he was, ultimately, killed by FBI agents.

“Across the country, synagogues, churches, and mosques and other nonprofit institutions – such as HBCUs – face a complex, diffused, and dynamic terrorism threat landscape,” Thompson said in a statement. “I commend the Appropriations Committee for coming together to provide robust funding for this critical program given the dramatic increase in need for this assistance to keep spaces safe for their community members and the public. While this increase in funding is welcomed, there are some administrative changes included in the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Improvement Act that need to be made for the program to succeed and reach at-risk nonprofits.”

Separately, Thompson and Ranking Member John Katko (R-NY) introduced the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Improvement Act of 2022 (H.R. 6825) to increase funding to $500 million per year. In the meantime, the Omnibus as it stands will also increase funding for the State Homeland Security Grant Program to $645 million – a 55 percent increase over last year – and for the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) to $740 million, a 20 percent increase over 2021 levels.