Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

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NSGP Summary

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 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is administered through FEMA and consists of two sub-programs:

  • NSGP-S: For nonprofit organizations located outside of the specific federal year’s UASI-designated Urban Areas.
  • NSGP-UA: A sub-component of the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI). UASI Urban Areas are designated each year within the federal HSGP notice of funding opportunity.

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) 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.

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Application Status

The 2025 NSGP grant application is OPEN. 

Due Date: January 8, 2025

NOI Due Date: November 30, 2024

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Eligibility

Iowa nonprofits must apply to HSEM (the SAA). An eligible nonprofit organization that may apply for the NSGP-S grant under the FY 2024 NSGP notice of funding opportunity is:

  • Described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code; and
  • Able to demonstrate, through the application, that the organization is at high risk of a terrorist attack.

Note: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require certain organizations such as churches, mosques, and synagogues to apply for and receive a recognition of exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Such organizations are automatically exempt if they meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3). These organizations are not required to provide recognition of exemption. For organizations that the IRS requires to apply for and receive a recognition of exemption under 501(c)(3), the state may or may not require recognition of exemption, as long as the method chosen is applied consistently.

Please refer to the following links for more information:

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How to Apply

To apply for NSGP funds in Iowa, interested nonprofit organizations must apply through HSEM. To allow time for interested nonprofit organizations to complete all requirements of the state and federal application process, HSEM 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. HSEM 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 HSEM 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 online State of Iowa application. 

Completion of your on-line State of Iowa application is a required step to apply for NSGP funding through HSEM.

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Application Requirements

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.
    1. Iowa Sub-recipient estimated Period of Performance State Date – September 1, 2025
    2. Iowa Sub-recipient estimated Period of Performance End Date – June 30, 2027
    3. FEMA Projected Period of Performance Start Date – September 1, 2025
    4. FEMA Projected Period of Performance End Date – August 31, 2028
  2. Vulnerability Assessment. Nonprofits applying for NSGP must have a current vulnerability assessment completed for each building for which funds are being sought.
    1. 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.
    2. A vulnerability assessment must be completed by one of the three options listed below. Contracting with a vulnerability assessment service provider will not be a reimbursable expense under NSGP.
      1. Assessment by the State of Iowa (HSEM)
      2. Assessment by Law Enforcement
      3. Assessment by Vulnerability Assessment Services Providers
    3. A vulnerability assessment completed utilizing a self-assessment tool or vulnerability assessment service provider other than the State of Iowa (HSEM) will be required to have an official letter from local law enforcement validating the vulnerabilities and options for consideration identified from the self-assessment.
    4. 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. HSEM Required Documents
  7. HSEM Budget Workbook
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Timeline

HSEM 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 2025. Once HSEM receives the federal grant award and list of selected sub-recipients, HSEM will notify those selected and issue sub-awards.

FEMA will offer informational webinars for FY2025 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. HSEM will notify nonprofits registered in the HSEM grants portal when webinar opportunities are posted. Information will also be added to this web page as they become available.

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Notice of Funding Opportunity

NSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) - Fiscal Year 2024

Iowa’s notices of funding opportunities will be posted in EMGrantsPro. When the application periods are not open, review previous years’ objectives, priorities, and allowable costs by visiting FEMA’s website, specifically the Notices of Funding Opportunities and Supporting Documents.

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