Amo, Magaziner Highlight Federal Funding Opportunity to Protect Nonprofit Organizations

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressmen Gabe Amo (RI-01) and Seth Magaziner (RI-02) participated in a breakfast and briefing hosted by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island to the discuss the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) and new opportunities to apply for funding. This program provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements for at-risk nonprofits. Federal funding is awarded by the Department of Homeland Security, which has warned about increases in violence against nonprofits and faith institutions.

Congressman Amo and Magaziner are proud supporters of the bipartisan Nonprofit Security Grant Program, and helped include a total of $664.5 million in NSGP funds in Fiscal Year 2024. Congressman Amo will be leading the appropriations letter alongside Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10) for Fiscal Year 2026.

“Everyone deserves to gather, worship, and learn without fear for their safety. But unfortunately, this isn’t the case for many Americans, even here in our community,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “The federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program is a strong sign of our commitment to keeping people safe — yet only 43 percent of grant applications nationwide received funding. I am glad to partner with the Jewish Alliance to ensure our community can receive the funds we need to keep Rhode Islanders safe.” 

“There has been an alarming rise in threats of violence against nonprofit organizations and places of worship. At a time when antisemitism and Islamophobia is on the rise, we need to work closely with law enforcement so that every Rhode Islander feels safe no matter where they worship,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement and Intelligence. “This federal funding will provide at-risk faith-based institutions and non-profits with the resources they need to ensure the safety of their members.”

“The Nonprofit Security Grant Program has been an invaluable resource for nonprofits like ours that must balance the need to be warm and welcoming with the need to protect our community,” said Adam Greenman, President and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. “With rising antisemitism, this need for greater protection is even more pressing, and I am so grateful to our federal delegation for their advocacy and work to grow and expand this program.”

BACKGROUND

Congressman Amo and Magaziner are strong supporters of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).

On April 30, 2024, they both signed onto the bipartisan appropriations letter requesting $385 million for the program.

On October 29, 2024, Rhode Island’s congressional delegation announced over $2.2 million in NSGP funds to protect Ocean State nonprofits and religious institutions against potential public safety threats.

The NSGP provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack. NSGP-eligible nonprofits are 501(c)(3) organizations that are determined to be at risk of a terrorist attack by DHS with the input of the state emergency agencies. NSGP recipients may use funding for any of the following purposes:

• "target hardening activities, including physical security enhancement equipment and inspection and screening systems";
• "fees for security training relating to physical security and cybersecurity, target hardening, terrorism awareness, and employee awareness"; and
• "any other appropriate activity, including cybersecurity resilience activities, as determined by the [DHS] Administrator."

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