The City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) and Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) encourage nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attacks in Chicago and Cook County to apply for security enhancement/target hardening funding through the competitive Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which is offered by the Grants Program Directorate/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Submissions are due to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 (CST), ahead of the federal deadline. Eligible applicants should visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/iema/Pages/default.aspx for application details.

“We urge nonprofit organizations to pursue this funding opportunity to strengthen protective measures for their facilities, particularly amid increasing threats to houses of worship and other organizations in urban areas,” said OEMC Executive Director Rich Guidice. “Preparing and remaining vigilant involves the whole community, and we support all efforts to keep the residents of Chicago and Cook County safe.”

Eligible nonprofit entities within the City of Chicago and Cook County are advised to review the FY2020 Nonprofit Security Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Allowable costs under this program include the development of plans, training/exercise, and physical security enhancements.

“This grant program is vital to help safeguard diverse institutions throughout Cook County,” said William Barnes, executive director of EMRS. “We strongly encourage eligible organizations to apply for this program to help decrease their vulnerability to threats.”

DHS will provide $90 million nationally ($50 million for nonprofits located in urban areas and $40 million for remaining nonprofits outside of the urban area) to eligible 501(C)(3) organizations who are deemed at high risk of a potential terrorist attack. The maximum funding request per applicant is capped at $100,000.

Additional information can be found at https://www.fema.gov/nonprofit-security-grant-program.

IEMA, as the State Administrative Agency (SAA), will collect applications and administer grants awarded to applicants in the Chicago Urban Area by the Grants Program Directorate/FEMA.

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