Pittsburgh, Pa. − January 9, 2020 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced that the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has posted advance information regarding applications for the new Non-Profit Security Grant Program. The official application window for this program is expected to open in mid-January, but qualified organizations can begin preparing their materials ahead of this using the information found at https://www.pccd.pa.gov/schoolsafety/Pages/Non-Profit-Security-Grant-Fund.aspx.
The Non-Profit Security Grant Program was authorized under Act 83 of 2019 and provides $5 million in funding for safety and security improvements to facilities used by faith-based nonprofits that principally serve individuals or groups included in the FBI’s 2017 Hate Crime bias motivation categories. Eligible improvements include:
- Safety and security planning and training;
- Purchase of safety and security equipment and technology;
- Upgrades to existing structures that enhance safety and security;
- Threat awareness and response training;
- Vulnerability and threat assessments; and
- Other safety or security-related projects that enhance the safety and security of the non-profit organization.
“This grant program is one of the steps that we can take in response to the rise in hate crimes happening in our communities,” said Senator Williams. “However, there is still much more work to be done, including passing legislation proposed by Senator Jay Costa and Representative Dan Frankel that increases penalties for hate crimes, gives police and colleges the resources they need to identify and react to hate groups, and provides for education for individuals convicted of hate crimes with the goal of rehabilitation.”
Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $150,000. Matching funds are required for funding requests of $25,000. The application period will be open for 30 days and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by a workgroup comprised of representatives of PCCD, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security. Priority consideration may be given to those non-profit organizations that clearly justify a credible and immediate threat. The initial set of awards will be considered at the March 11 Commission meeting.
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