Chicago: Nonprofit organizations that are at a high risk of terrorist attacks based upon their  ideology or beliefs in Chicago and suburban Cook County are eligible to apply for national security grants through a competitive grant program recently announced by the Grants Program Directorate/Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.   

The Chicago Urban Area, to include the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) and Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS), encourages eligible applicants to apply for funding for security enhancements for nonprofit entities that are at high risk of terrorist attacks and located within the UASI-eligible urban areas. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides a total of $180 million nationally to eligible 501(c) (3) organizations for this grant program.  Eligible non-profit organizations located in the Chicago Urban Area of Cook County and the City of Chicago may submit an application to the State Administrative Agency (SAA), which for Illinois is the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).   

Please see link to apply via IEMA at www2.illinois.gov/iema. Eligible non-profit organizations with one site may apply for up to $150,000 for that site. Eligible non-profit organizations with multiple sites may apply for up to $150,000 per site, for up to three sites, for a maximum of $450,000 per sub-applicant. If an eligible non-profit organization applies for projects at multiple sites, regardless of whether the projects are similar in nature, it must include an assessment of the vulnerability and risk unique to each site. Failure to do so may be cause for rejection of the application. 

“Our nonprofit partners are encouraged to take the opportunity to fortify efforts that enhance safety and security in facilities and their environment for employees and their communities, as we continue to enhance capabilities,” said Richard Guidice, executive director of OEMC. 

“This is a critical opportunity for nonprofit organizations to minimize their vulnerabilities making Cook County safer for all our residents,” said William Barnes, executive director of EMRS. 

The FY 2021 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) allocates funds based on risk analysis, effectiveness and integration with broader state and local preparedness efforts. NSGP funds focus on target-hardening activities. These funds may be used to purchase or install security equipment on property owned or leased by the nonprofit organization or provide contractual security personnel specifically to prevent against the risk of a terrorist attack.  

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), as the State Administrative Agency (SAA), will administer grants awarded to applicants in the Chicago Urban Area by the Grants Program Directorate/FEMA. The grant period is 36 months. 

Additional NSGP guidance, and materials are available at the following link, DHS NOFO FY 2021 NSGP (fema.gov)   

Completed applications from eligible nonprofit organizations must be submitted to IEMA no later than 4:00 p.m. CDT on April 21, 2021.  

Eligible non-profit organizations should download the application (Investment Justification) from the IEMA website along with the FFY 21 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and FFY 21 Fact Sheet for more information.  A completed grant application package must include the following 5 items: 

1. Investment Justification Application, ​ with the Approved AEL Numbers​ included in the Target Hardening bottom section. Please save the IJ with the title as: NSGP_UA_IL_NAME of ORGANIZATION 
2. Vulnerability/Risk Assessment (any format deemed appropriate by applicant) 
3. Mission Statement (any format deemed appropriate by applicant) 
4. Attachment A1: Grantee Contact Information 
5. IRS Form W-9 or if not a 501c (3) then complete the Tax-Exempt Organization statement 

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