By JESSICA ANDERSON
Local organizations who applied for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) this year still have a couple of months to wait before award selections are made. If you’re an organization who might benefit from applying, it’s not too early to start thinking about next year. 
Parts of the following are excerpted from Secure Community Network’s (SCN) June NSGP newsletter. If you don’t already receive it and would like to, let me know.
In June 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will distribute an additional $160 million in funds as a first tranche of supplemental funding approved by Congress to protect faith-based institutions and nonprofit organizations against targeted attacks. This brings the total amount to be awarded to $434.5 million, a new record.
It is anticipated that these funds will be added to the current FY2024 NSGP allocation to provide additional funding to those nonprofit organizations that already applied for FY2024 NSGP grant funds.
Since the NSGP application window is closed for FY2024, we should look ahead to the FY2025 NSGP grant season and start getting ready. It is an excellent opportunity to assess your organization’s security posture and map out your organization’s strategic security goals for the year ahead.
Does your organization have a security committee?
A security committee can help bring staff and leadership together to ensure that there is maximum “buy-in” to a security plan. A typical security committee is composed of professional and lay leaders and may include a security director, facilities manager, organization leadership, board chairs, and other stakeholders. Ensure that clergy, staff, leadership, and congregants know their role in security and what to do in the event of an emergency or incident. The committee should have responsibility for ongoing maintenance of security procedures and training and can help orchestrate the implementation of your security training drills.
Does your organization have an updated emergency preparedness plan?
It is vital that your organization have an updated emergency preparedness plan. Emergencies can involve a range of scenarios, such as a medical crisis (e.g., a member having a heart attack), a natural disaster (e.g., a hurricane or tornado), or an act of targeted violence (e.g., an active shooter event). Having a plan and educating your organization’s members about the emergency preparedness plan can save lives. Test existing safety devices and equipment (locks, alarms, walkie talkies, AEDs, etc.) to ensure that they are in working order. Plan and practice training drills regularly with your organization’s members. SCN resources on Emergency and Preparedness Planning can be found here.
Does your organization have a threat, vulnerability, and risk assessment?
A threat, vulnerability, and risk assessment (TVRA) will identify the security weaknesses of your facility and recommend solutions to remedy those vulnerabilities. If your organization is interested in applying for NSGP funding, all investments requested in an NSGP application must be supported by a current vulnerability assessment. A professional assessment conducted by experienced assessors is advisable and is a best practice for a successful application. An important feature of the NSGP is that every separate address at your facility is eligible to submit a separate request for $150,000. So, if your organization is a multi-building or multi-lot facility, you may be leaving grant money on the table if you’re only submitting one application for your organization. As your community security director, I am always available to come out and conduct an assessment and complete a TVRA. By getting a jump on this earlier than others, you’ll have plenty of time to put together a quality application. 
As always, if you have safety and security needs in your personal life or organization, please contact me at janderson@securecommunitynetwork.org or 872-273-9214. Please see the Security website at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland to report incidents, review past incidents or sign up for online training: https://www.jewishportland.org/security