Blog

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Homeland Security and Emergency Management Branch, is soliciting proposals for its California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP). There is a total $76 million in funding available for this program and a maximum grant award of $500,000 with no match required. Applications are due by December 12, 2025.

What is the purpose of the CSNSGP? 

The purpose of the CSNSGP is to provide funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk for violent attacks and hate crimes due to ideology, beliefs, or mission.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are California nonprofit organizations that are 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.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require certain organizations such as churches, mosques, and synagogues to apply for and receive recognition of exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS. Such organizations are automatically exempt if they meet the requirements of Section 501(c)(3).

What are the different types of projects eligible through this program?

There are two types of eligible projects, which have different requirements and funding amounts, as described below.

1. Individual Applicants: Applicants whose project’s activities will solely benefit their organization’s facilities may submit up to two proposals, and each proposal must address a specific site, with its own unique physical address (not a P.O. Box Number). The applicant must occupy the location at the time of proposal submission. Locations under construction and vacant lots will not be considered. Applicants can request up to $250,000 per location for a total of $500,000.
2. Support Services Applicants: Applicants may submit one proposal up to $500,000 solely for Support Services (SS) funding to provide support to other eligible nonprofits for the following allowable costs: Vulnerability assessments; Security trainings; Mass notification alert systems; Monitoring and response systems; and Lifesaving emergency equipment.

Funding for SS must be utilized to support other eligible nonprofits and cannot be used to benefit the Applicant receiving SS funding or other ineligible organizations. Applicants must clearly provide the names and physical addresses of all eligible nonprofits it proposes to support. Applicants selected for SS funding are responsible for ensuring contractual agreements with the eligible nonprofits to which SS funding is provided.

Applicants shall only apply individually or as part of SS, but not both. Proposals submitted for both individual and SS funding will be deemed ineligible for Individual funding.

What are allowable costs for Individual and Support Services CSNSGP projects?

INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS:

Allowable costs for this program’s individual applicants include the following categories and examples:

• Planning: Development and enhancement of security plans and protocols; emergency contingency plans; and evacuation/shelter-in-place plans.
• Equipment: Physical security enhancement equipment, including, but not limited to reinforced doors and gates, and high-intensity lighting and alarms; inspection and screening systems, and access control, among others.
• Training: Attendance fees for trainings that address a specific threat and/or vulnerability; and related expenses such as materials and/or supplies.
• Construction/Renovation: Construction or renovation activities should be done in support of target hardening activities and is limited to $100,000.
• Contracted Security: The applicant must be able to sustain this capability in future years without CSNSGP funding. Funding for contracted security cannot exceed fifty percent of the amount requested and cannot include training and equipment costs.
• Management and Administration (M&A): Applicants that receive a subaward under this program may use and expend up to five percent of their funds for M&A activities. This cost consists of hiring full-time or part-time staff or contractors/consultants.

SUPPORT SERVICES (SS) APPLICANTS:

Allowable costs to support eligible nonprofits with the following services are detailed below:

• Vulnerability Assessments: Applicants may provide Vulnerability Assessments (VA) to other nonprofits that meet the following criteria:
  • Have never had a VA;
  • Need a new VA as their existing VA is outdated and there are new/modified vulnerabilities; and/or
  • Are unable to secure a VA on their own.
  • Nonprofits supported by SS applicants must have current VAs before other support can be provided.
• Security Trainings: Funding may be used for training-related costs and apply to the nonprofit’s employees or members/congregants to receive on-site security training. Training activities using CSNSGP funds must address a specific threat and/or vulnerability, as identified in the proposal.
• Mass Notification Alert Systems: Funding may be used for communication that enables organizations and authorities to send real-time alerts and instructions to large groups of people simultaneously during emergencies or other critical events.
• Monitoring And Response Systems: Funding may be used for communications and safety equipment to be used during emergencies or other critical events.
• Lifesaving Emergency Equipment: Funding may be used for basic emergency kit supplies, safety equipment, and/or advanced medical life support to be used during emergencies or other critical events.
• Management & Administration (M&A): Applicants that receive a subaward under this Program may use and expend up to five percent (5%) of their funds for M&A activities. This cost consists of hiring full-time or part-time staff or contractors/consultants.

What is the funding availability for this program?

The total funding availability for this program is $76 million.

Maximum grant awards for Individual Applicants are $250,000 per location or $500,000. Support Services Applicants can apply for up to $500,000. No cost share or matching funds are required.

What is the grant timeline?

Applications are due December 12, 2025 by 11:59pm.

The grant period of performance will be March 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.

The program’s full Request for Proposal can be found here.

For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.