By JESSICA ANDERSON
Now is a great time to start thinking about and prepare for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) application launching this spring. This FEMA-administered program awards up to $150,000 to organizations susceptible to terrorist activity. The applications are typically due in May/June, but it takes time to develop a competitive package. These awards are not easy to get, so starting this process early will absolutely produce better results. The 2025 program is likely to be announced in a couple of months. Last year, there were some changes made to the program that (I think) increase the likelihood of smaller applications being awarded funds. If you have security additions you’d like to make to your spaces, I encourage you to contact me for more information. 
Here are some steps you can take to begin preparations:
Phase One 
- Contact me to schedule a Threat, Vulnerability, and Risk Assessment (TVRA). The TVRA describes the changes that could be made to your space that would “harden” it and make it less susceptible to criminal activity. The TVRA is generally valid for up to 36 months, and it must include the projects that you are requesting in your NSGP application.
- If you have multiple addresses/building lots as part of your property, you are eligible to submit one application per address. 
- Review the TVRA with your security committee or leadership to identify and establish security priorities that are eligible for the NSGP funds. 
- Sign up for alerts from Oregon’s FEMA office. They will alert you when pre-registration is open. In Oregon, you must pre-register for the NSGP. If you don’t, you cannot apply when the application submission time arrives. Here is the website for OR FEMA – check back for when the notification sign-ups become available. https://www.oregon.gov/oem/emresources/Grants/Pages/Nonprofit-Security-Grant-Program.aspx
Phase Two 
- Get estimates for planned projects -- you will need to build a realistic budget for your application. You won’t have to submit the estimates with the application, but accurate and realistic amounts for your projects will be expected by the application reviewers. They know when you’re guessing! 
- Draft the Investment Justification (IJ). The IJ is the application that addresses your identified risks. You’ll need to describe the risks you face, how your building is vulnerable to them, the consequences of the risk should something happen, and how you suggest the desired changes would prevent or protect against potential terrorist or extremist attacks. This is the hardest but most important part of the application. It’s very difficult to do an adequate job at the last minute. 
Phase Three 
- Prepare an organizational Mission Statement. The Mission Statement describes the “who, what, and why” of your organization. The FEMA office will review the mission statement along with your application in the Investment Justification to confirm that your organization is one of the following types eligible for the grant: ideology-based/spiritual/religious, educational, medical, or other. Different types of organizations are awarded different point values, so choose the classification that awards you the most points. 
- Finalize all submission documents.
SCN has so many free resources to help you through this application. From preparing TVRAs to webinars to a review of your application pre-submission, we are here to help. Please go to https://www.securecommunitynetwork.org/securing-facilities/nsgp/
to register for the upcoming FY2025 SCN NSGP webinars, watch past webinars, find additional NSGP resources, and sign up for SCN’s NSGP newsletter. Each webinar will feature panelists who will guide your organization through various stages and components of the NSGP process. For more information, contact me at janderson@securecommunitynetwork.org or 872-273-9214.