Grants

ALL HMGP APPLICATION PERIODS ARE NOW CLOSED.  However, HSEMD accepts Notice of Interest (NOIs) at any time.

Please follow the directions above under APPLYING FOR FUNDING for directions on registering in EMGrantsPro and submitting an NOI.

Purpose

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states, local governments, and Native American tribes for long-term hazard mitigation projects after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the program is to reduce the loss of life and property in future disasters by funding mitigation measures during the recovery phase of a natural disaster. States receive HMGP funding when a Presidential Disaster Declaration has been made.

Planning

• HMGP Applicant Briefing – (YouTube)
• Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance (link to FEMA website)
• Hazard Mitigation Plan Review Tool (MS Word)
• Local Plan Status (PDF) – UPDATED MARCH 2019

Safe Rooms

• Design and Construction Guidance for Community Safe Rooms (link to FEMA website)

Acquisitions/Elevations/Relocation

• Property Acquisition Loss Avoidance Report 2010
• HMGP Certifications Form
• HMGP Management Cost Election
• HSEMD Photograph Guidelines for Inspections Photos
• Local Match Resolution
• Minority Impact Statement Form
• Mitigation MA Cost Estimate Breakout Amended Sample Contractor
• Mitigation MA Cost Estimate Breakout Amended Sample Staff
• Mitigation Model Deed Restriction
• SF424 4 0-V4.0
• SF424B V1.1 Assurances Non-Construction
• SF424D V1.1 Assurances Construction
• Statement of Voluntary Transaction
• W-9
• Assurances Property Acquisition Projects
• Designation of Applicants Authorized Representative AAR
• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Purpose

The Flood Mitigation Assistance program was created to assist States and communities in implementing measures that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). There are three types of FMA grants available to states and communities:

• Planning Grants to prepare flood mitigation plans;
• Project Grants to implement measures to reduce flood losses, such as elevation, acquisition, or relocation of NFIP-insured structures; and
• Management Cost Grants for the State to help administer the FMA program and activities

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is an annual nationally competitive program that provides an opportunity for communities to initiate projects that provide mitigation of damages to NFIP insured structures. Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss properties are prioritized for funding.

FEMA will establish the application deadline for states to submit their application. In order to meet FEMA’s deadline, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) must receive local intent to complete sub-applications by July 31, 2023. Submitting a Notice of Intent at an earlier time could be advantageous as more time is allowed for HSEMD to provide application development and technical assistance. HSEMD is required to review, provide comments on, and to rank each local application that it submits to FEMA.

For additional information, please see HSEMD’s Anticipatory Notice of Application Period (FMA 2023).

FMA Program–FEMA Guidance and Additional Resources

Historic Preservation

In the course of executing your disaster recovery grant, you may encounter previously unknown cultural/historic artifacts. The Office of the State Archaeologist should be contacted if any archaeological deposits (artifacts) are exposed so that they can be investigated and the extent of the site determined.

Additionally, HSEMD and the State Historic Preservation Office must be informed to take proper action. In accordance with the Code of Iowa 263B, if human remains are unintentionally exposed, you must cease work immediately, secure the area, and contact local law enforcement and/or the county medical examiner. If the remains are determined to be ancient (greater than 150 years old), the Office of the State Archaeologist’s Bioarchaeology Program must also be notified.

See more information on Historic Preservation.

Acquisition Projects: Forms and Resources

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is one of three grant programs that support the U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on enhancing the ability of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to terrorist or other extremist attacks. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to help strengthen the nation’s communities against potential terrorist or other extremist attacks.

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) is the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for the NSGP grant and is the only entity eligible to apply for NSGP funds. The SAA applies to FEMA on behalf of eligible nonprofit organizations (sub-applicants) that are at high risk of terrorist or other extremist attack. Eligible nonprofit organizations are those organizations described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is a competitive grant program intended to provide federal funding for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at risk of a terrorist attack. The NSGP seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts.

To apply for NSGP funds in Iowa, interested nonprofit organizations must apply through HSEMD. To allow time for interested nonprofit organizations to complete all requirements of the state and federal application process, HSEMD chooses to open our state application process prior to the release of the Federal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

NSGP is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. The federal appropriations and state allocations have not yet been announced. HSEMD is moving forward with the sub-grant application phase per FEMA’s recommendation for states to be planning projects for this grant.

To apply, please register your nonprofit organization in my.IowaHomelandSecurity.org. This is the grants portal HSEMD uses for all federal grant applications. Once registered and have received a password, login to your HOME page and Apply for Grant. This first step is the Notice of Interest (NOI). It is the first step in a multi-step on-line application process. Once you receive notice that your NOI is approved, you will now have access to your on-line State of Iowa application. Completion of your on-line State of Iowa application is a required step to apply for NSGP funding through HSEMD.

The following materials must be submitted with your state on-line application as a part of a complete application package. The following documents are required:

1. Investment Justification (Federal form) – nonprofits are eligible to apply for up to $150,000 per building, for no more than three buildings for a maximum of $450,000 per nonprofit. Only one building per Investment Justification (application) Each building must have its own physical address and be occupied at the time of application.

Iowa Sub-recipient estimated Period of Performance State Date – September 1, 2024
Iowa Sub-recipient estimated Period of Performance End Date – June 30, 2026

FEMA Projected Period of Performance Start Date – September 1, 2024
FEMA Projected Period of Performance End Date – August 31, 2027

2. Vulnerability Assessment – Nonprofits applying for NSGP must have a current vulnerability assessment completed for each building for which funds are being sought.

a. Please note that any vulnerability assessments completed prior to the application cannot be more than 3 years old. Vulnerability assessments must include defined vulnerabilities and options for consideration to mitigate vulnerabilities.

b. A vulnerability assessment must be completed by one of the three options listed below:

1. Assessment by the State of Iowa (HSEMD)
2. Assessment by Law Enforcement
3. Assessment by Vulnerability Assessment Services Providers

*Contracting with a vulnerability assessment service provider will not be a reimbursable expense under NSGP.

c. A vulnerability assessment completed utilizing a self-assessment tool or vulnerability assessment service provider other than the State of Iowa (HSEMD) will be required to have an official letter from local law enforcement validating the vulnerabilities and options for consideration identified from the self-assessment.

d. A copy of a valid vulnerability assessment and/or other documentation, as outlined above, must be submitted as part of the completed application.

3. Obtain Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number documentation – To apply for federal funding opportunities, a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is required.

4. IRS 501c3 nonprofit designation documentation

5. Mission Statement – please reference the NSGP Applicant Quick State Guide for Mission Statement requirements.

6. HSEMD Required Documents

7. HSEMD Budget Workbook

HSEMD will conduct an initial review and scoring of applications received and will submit a combined application to FEMA that includes all eligible applications. FEMA will make the final selection of award sub-recipients. Award announcements are anticipated in late summer 2024. Once HSEMD receives the federal grant award and list of selected sub-recipients, HSEMD will notify those selected and issue sub-awards.

FEMA will offer informational webinars for FY2024 NSGP. We encourage you to join one of these webinars to get additional information on the program and what FEMA is looking for during their scoring and selection process. HSEMD will notify nonprofits registered in the HSEMD grants portal when webinar opportunities are posted.  Information will also be added to this web page as they become available.

HSEMD Notice of Funding Opportunity  (PDF format)

Reference Documents

The following are application documents from FY 2023 NSGP. Updated documents will be provided once FEMA opens their FY 2024 application process.

• FY 2023 Federal NOFO (PDF format)
• FY 2023 NSGP Sub-applicant Quick Start Guide (PDF format)
• Investment Justification document (PDF format)

Questions?

Please contact Lisa Sexton, NSGP Program Manager, at lisa.sexton@iowa.gov or 515-218-4002.