(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is releasing $5 million in state funding to support another round of Connecticut’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
Launched by Governor Lamont in 2021, the program provides financial assistance to support infrastructure improvements that increase security measures at facilities belonging to 501(c)(3) organizations that are at heightened risk of being targets of a terrorist attack, hate crime, or violent act. It is administered by the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s (DESPP) Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
Eligible organizations can begin applying for grants when this next funding round opens in July. Application instructions and other materials will be made available on the program’s website.
Governor Lamont said that eligible organizations include those that are faith-based, houses of worship, noting that religious institutions of all kinds throughout the U.S. have been the targets of recent attacks.
“Everybody of every religion should feel safe and protected practicing their faith at the worship service of their choosing without the fear of being targeted simply for their beliefs,” Governor Lamont said. “We created this program so that these organizations have the financial assistance needed to support the state’s overall public safety mission. Faith-based organizations throughout Connecticut provide many positive contributions to our communities, and these grants are a way that we can partner with them to keep the residents of our state safe.”
“We stand ready to help every group learn about the nonprofit security grant program,” DESPP Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins said. “We will meet with you, conduct security assessments, and help you understand how to apply for this competitive grant opportunity. Our goal is not simply to award grants. Our goal is to prevent the next act of hate, the next criminal threat, and the next act of targeted violence.”
This will become the fourth round of the grant program since its creation. Each of the previous rounds also provided $5 million in grants and were awarded in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
Eligible nonprofits can receive a maximum of $50,000 per site. Allowable activities include security infrastructure improvements to enhance security and target hardening of eligible nonprofit buildings based on security assessments. Some examples of equipment that can be purchased with the grants include:
- Ballistic glass
- Surveillance cameras
- Solid core doors
- Double door access
- Computer-controlled electronic locks
- Scan card systems
- Entry door buzzer systems
- Penetration-resistant vestibules
- Panic alarms
- Metal detectors
- Real-time interoperable communications and multimedia sharing infrastructure
For more information on the program, including application materials, visit portal.ct.gov/DEMHS/Grants/Nonprofit-Security-Grant-Program-Overview/Connecticut-Nonprofit-Security-Grant-Program.