State and Federal Funding
On November 7, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that nonprofits and community-based organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks can strengthen safety and security measures through newly made available state funding. Additionally, she announced the opening of applications for $50 million through the State’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Program. This represents the largest amount ever made available through the program, and for the first time, cybersecurity projects will be considered for funding. Along with state funding, the Governor announced $46 million in federal funding for 240 nonprofit organizations that face an increased risk of terrorist attacks through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Of the $46 million, $38.8 million would be allocated for organizations within the New York City Metro Area and $7.2 millions will be allocated within the rest of the state.
Applying for State Funding
Administered by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the state-funded Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program is seeking proposals for the $50 million, which is anticipated to support approximately 1,000 projects across the state. The DCJS will accept applications for up to $50,000 per project. Each eligible organization may submit up to three applications for physical security enhancements for a maximum of $150,000. Each project will be required to submit a separate application. Organizations may submit applications for projects at facilities that have received prior DHSES or DCJS SCAHC funding as long as the proposed project is different than any previously funded projects. DCJS may request additional documentation of prior projects to ensure proposed projects are not duplicative. Additionally, organizations may also submit a separate application for up to $50,000 to fund a cybersecurity project. Applicants applying for funding for a cybersecurity project must submit a vulnerability assessment as well as a separate self-assessment describing their cybersecurity capabilities and vulnerabilities including threats to the organization’s facility or its cybersecurity.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to receive funding, applicants must meet all the following requirements:
- Applicants must have received a Recognition of Exempt Status Determination letter from the IRS pursuant to 26 USC §501(c)(3). Alternatively, the applicant may self-certify by providing a letter affirming that the organization qualifies as a §501(c)(3) organization and is exempt from tax pursuant to 26 USC §501(a). The organization must maintain tax exempt status throughout the life of the grant. If the organization’s tax-exempt status is jeopardized or placed into question at any point during the life of the grant, the organization must notify DCJS within fifteen (15) days;
- The applicant must be a nonprofit organization;
- Must be at risk of a hate crime or attack due to ideology, beliefs, or mission as described by the applicant organization;
- Must be registered, have recently applied for registration and such application remains pending, or be exempt from registering with the NYS Attorney General’s Office, Charities Bureau;
- Must be prequalified through the New York State Grants Gateway here prior to application submission.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted to DCJS by Tuesday, January 31, 2023 via the DCJS Grants Management System (GMS). The Request for Proposal, along with the Vulnerability Assessment for those applying for cybersecurity funding, can be found here.
Applicants approved for funding will be notified in writing by DCJS to the email address provided in GMS. The terms of the final contract agreement are subject to negotiation between DCJS and the grantee. If DCJS and a successful award recipient cannot agree to contract terms within ninety days of notification of selection for award, DCJS reserves the right to rescind the award and redistribute the funds. For those not approved to receive funding awards, notifications will be sent to the contact email address provided in the GMS.
Written by Thomas Gonyou. If you would like to learn more about this topic, please contact:
Kenneth R. Cerini, CPA, CFP, FABFA
Managing Partner
Ken is the Managing Partner of Cerini & Associates, LLP and is the executive responsible for the administration of our not-for-profit and educational provider practice groups. In addition to his extensive audit experience, Ken has been directly involved in providing consulting services for nonprofits and educational facilities of all sizes throughout New York State in such areas as cost reporting, financial analysis, Medicaid compliance, government audit representation, rate maximization, board training, budgeting and forecasting, and more.
