A Step-by-Step Guide to the Nonprofit Security Grant (NSGP) for Churches & Schools

Ensuring the physical safety of your congregation, students, and staff is more critical than ever. For many nonprofits, churches, and schools, the reality is a patchwork of outdated, disjointed security systems, an alarm from one vendor, key fobs from another, and maybe a few standalone cameras, that create more operational headaches than peace of mind. The solution lies in modern, integrated security platforms, and a key federal program, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), is designed to help you fund it.

This guide provides a clear roadmap for nonprofit leaders to understand the current security landscape, evaluate their technology, and navigate the NSGP application process to secure the funding needed for a comprehensive security upgrade.

Key Takeaways

• The Threat is Real: Houses of worship and schools are considered “soft targets,” and security incidents are on the rise. A proactive security strategy is no longer optional.
• Disjointed Systems are a Liability: Separate systems for alarms, access control, and cameras are inefficient, difficult to manage, and fail to provide a complete security picture during an incident.
• Integrated Platforms are the Future: Modern, cloud-based systems like Verkada offer a “single pane of glass” to manage cameras, door access, alarms, and visitor entry from anywhere, on any device.
• Funding is Available: The federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides significant funding (up to $200,000 per site under recent NSGP cycles, subject to the annual federal NOFO and state caps) for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations to purchase security equipment, training, and planning services.

The New Security Reality: Why Proactive Measures are Essential

The conversation around security for faith-based organizations and schools has fundamentally shifted. It’s no longer just about preventing vandalism or theft; it’s about creating a safe environment that protects against a wider range of potential threats.

Independent trackers report that attacks on churches and other houses of worship have increased in recent years, with one analysis documenting over 400 incidents against churches in 2024 alone and more than 1,300 since 2018. This reality has prompted federal agencies to specifically prioritize these organizations for security funding. For leaders, this means moving from a reactive to a proactive security posture. The question is no longer if you need a security plan, but how robust and intelligent that plan is.

Is Your Current Security System Holding You Back?

Many organizations we work with are struggling with what we call “security sprawl.” Their current setup often looks something like this:

• An alarm system from a traditional vendor like Wellington.
• A door access system with fobs or key codes, managed on a dedicated, non-networked PC.
• A few standalone cameras in critical areas like a nursery, operating on their own unsophisticated system.

While each piece may function, they don’t communicate. This creates critical security gaps. When a door is forced open, can you instantly see the video feed for that door? When an unauthorized person is detected on camera after hours, does it automatically trigger an alert to the right people? With disjointed systems, the answer is almost always no. This fragmentation puts the burden on your staff to manually connect the dots during a high-stress event.

The Solution: A Single Pane of Glass for Total Control

The future of physical security is integrated, cloud-based, and intelligent. Platforms like Verkada consolidate all your security tools into a single, intuitive interface that you can access from a web browser or mobile app.

Imagine this scenario:
A visitor arrives at a locked preschool entrance during school hours. The front desk administrator receives an alert from a doorbell camera, speaks to the visitor through a two-way audio feature, and remotely unlocks the door—all from the same screen, without leaving their desk.

This is the power of a unified system. Instead of juggling multiple logins and platforms, you gain powerful capabilities:

• AI-Powered Search: Instantly find footage of a specific person, vehicle, or motion event across all cameras in minutes, not hours.
• Proactive Alerts: Receive real-time notifications on your phone if a person is detected in a restricted area after hours or if a door is propped open.
• Scalability: Start with a single camera or door controller and easily expand the system across multiple buildings—or even multiple campuses in different cities—all managed from the same account.
• Lower Total Cost of Ownership: Cloud-based systems eliminate the need for on-site servers and NVRs, receive automatic software updates, and often come with industry-leading 10-year hardware warranties.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

The NSGP is a FEMA-administered grant that provides funding for physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist attack. Houses of worship and their associated schools are a primary focus for this program. Here’s how to navigate the process.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

First, ensure your organization meets the baseline criteria. You must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The grant is managed at the state level by a State Administrative Agency (SAA)—in Minnesota, this is the Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) division.

Step 2: Get a Professional Vulnerability Assessment

This is a critical, non-negotiable part of the application. You need a formal assessment that identifies your facility’s specific security gaps and risks. This assessment cannot be self-conducted; it should be performed by a qualified security consultant or, in some cases, your local law enforcement agency. This document will be the foundation of your entire grant request.

Step 3: Define Your Security Project & Get Quotes

Based on the findings of your vulnerability assessment, outline the specific solutions you need. This could include:

• Upgrading to a modern access control system for exterior and interior doors.
• Installing a comprehensive, cloud-based camera surveillance system.
• Implementing security lighting, fencing, or shatter-resistant window film.

Work with a technology partner like CIT to design a solution and obtain detailed quotes. The costs outlined in these quotes will be used to determine the amount of funding you request. Important: Reputable partners will not inflate quotes for grant-funded projects. The price should be the same regardless of the funding source.

Step 4: Complete the Investment Justification

The Investment Justification is the core narrative of your application. This is where you tell your story. You will use the data from your vulnerability assessment to explain:

• The nature of the threats your facility faces.
• Your organization’s specific vulnerabilities.
• How the equipment and training you are requesting will mitigate those risks.

Be specific and connect every requested item directly back to a vulnerability identified in your assessment.

Step 5: Register and Submit Through the Official Portal

You will need to register on federal sites like SAM.gov to get a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Your state’s SAA will have its own grant portal for the final submission (e.g., Minnesota uses the IGX system). Pay close attention to deadlines, as the application window is finite.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can we write the grant application ourselves?
A: Yes, the application itself doesn’t require a professional grant writer, but it is a detailed, multi-step process. The most challenging parts are the vulnerability assessment and the Investment Justification. Partnering with a security expert can help ensure your proposed solutions are properly quoted and aligned with your assessment.

Q: We already have some security equipment. Can we integrate it with a new system?
A: Sometimes. In many cases, a new system can reuse existing low-voltage cabling and door strikes, which saves on installation costs. However, the core controllers and head-end equipment will typically need to be replaced to move to a modern, cloud-managed platform.

Q: What if we don’t get the grant? Can we still upgrade our security?
A: Absolutely. A key benefit of modern platforms like Verkada is their scalability. You can start with your highest-priority need; for example, a single camera at your main entrance or access control on one door, and expand the system over time as your budget allows.

Q: Does CIT write the grant for us?
A: While we are not grant writers, we are a critical partner in the process. We provide the expert consultation, system design, and detailed quotes that are required for a successful grant application. We can also connect you with resources, like our partners at Verkada, who have nationwide experience with the NSGP process.

Glossary of Key Terms

• NSGP (Nonprofit Security Grant Program): A federal grant program administered by FEMA to help at-risk nonprofits fund physical security enhancements.
• VSaaS (Video Security as a Service): A cloud-based approach to video surveillance where footage is managed and accessed remotely, eliminating the need for on-premise servers.
• Single Pane of Glass: A term for a single, unified management interface that allows you to control and monitor all your security systems (cameras, access control, alarms, etc.) from one place.
• NVR (Network Video Recorder): A traditional hardware device used to record and store video footage from IP cameras on-site. Cloud-based systems make NVRs obsolete.
• Access Control: Systems that manage entry to buildings and rooms, typically using key cards, fobs, mobile credentials, or keypads.
• Vulnerability Assessment: A professional evaluation of a facility’s security weaknesses, which is a mandatory component of the NSGP application.

Your Path to a Safer Facility Starts Now

Navigating security upgrades and grant applications can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. By partnering with an expert who understands both the technology and the unique needs of organizations like yours, you can build a security posture that protects your people and your mission for years to come.

Ready to explore your security needs and discuss your eligibility for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program?

Schedule a Consultation

Sources

FEMA NSGP Award Details (MN 2025) | https://www.homelandsecuritygrants.info/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=41037 | Provides specific funding amounts and administrator details for the Minnesota NSGP.
MN Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) Grants | https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/em-resources/security-and-emergency-management-grants | Official state-level page for grants, including the NSGP, identifying HSEM as the SAA.
Omnilert – Guide for 2026 Nonprofit Security Grants | https://www.omnilert.com/blog/guide-for-nonprofit-security-grants | Outlines the steps and requirements for the NSGP application process, including the need for a vulnerability assessment.
Verkada Infrastructure Modernization (Blog) | https://www.verkada.com/blog/modern-physical-security-at-scale/ | Explains the benefits of a modern, scalable, cloud-based security platform over traditional systems.
Family Research Council – Church Attacks Report | https://catholicweekly.com.au/christian-church-attacks-down-in-us/ | Contains statistics on the frequency and nature of attacks on U.S. churches, establishing the threat level.