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HD 5804

A communication from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (see item 8000-1127 of Section 2 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting the Office of Grants and Research Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program annual report for fiscal year 2026

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Massachusetts grants: CNSGP funds physical security upgrades and screening; CNSPGP funds contracted security personnel for high-risk nonprofits.

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Bill Summary · HD 5804

Summary of HD 5804 (Session 194th) – Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program FY2026 Report

  • Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
  • Bill Type: Communication/report from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) / Office of Grants and Research (OGR)
  • Report to: Massachusetts Senate and House Committees on Ways and Means
  • Date: June 2026
  • Principal purpose: Provide the FY2026 Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CNSGP) annual report to the Legislature, detailing program activity, outcomes, and related administration.

Main purpose and intent

  • This bill transmits and outlines the FY2026 annual report for the CNSGP, which is funded under the FY2026 General Appropriation Act (Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025, 8000-1127).
  • The CNSGP is designed to help high-risk Massachusetts nonprofit organizations harden security and reduce vulnerability to hate crimes or terrorist attacks.

Key provisions and changes

  • Program structure and funding
    • Total funding allocated: $5,200,000 across two programs:
    • Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CNSGP): funds for physical security enhancements and inspection/screening systems.
    • Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Personnel Grant Program (CNSPGP): funds for contracted, qualified security personnel (not for equipment or on-duty law enforcement).
  • Eligibility
    • Eligible applicants: Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofits facing high risk of hate crimes or terrorist attacks.
    • Each nonprofit could submit one application per program; multiple locations could be applied for via separate applications.
  • Allowable uses and costs
    • CNSGP: funding for physical security enhancement equipment and inspection/screening systems (examples include exterior doors, locks, cameras, alarms, public address systems, lighting, fencing, access control).
    • CNSPGP: funding only for contracted security personnel; cannot fund equipment, uniforms, or services by on-duty law enforcement.
    • CNSGP cost categories: two categories (Physical Security Enhancement Equipment; Inspection and Screening System).
  • Application process and timeline
    • Availability of Funds (AGF) released: Sept 19, 2025
    • Applicant webinar (optional): Sept 30, 2025
    • Application deadline: Oct 30, 2025 (by 4:00 pm)
    • Award notification: March 2026
    • CNSGP performance period: March 2026 – Aug 31, 2026
    • CNSPGP performance period: March 2026 – Sept 30, 2026
    • Webinars and materials were publicly accessible; process marked by record-level applications (274 CNSGP applications; 53 for CNSPGP).
  • Review and award process
    • Competitive grants with two internal and one external reviewer per submission.
    • Scoring criteria included: completeness, demonstrated need with local data, clear benefits of security personnel, feasible implementation plan and timeline, budget reasonableness, and risk assessment for hate crimes/terrorism.
    • Additional considerations: geographic diversity, strategic priorities, past performance, and available funding.
    • Longer review timeline in FY2026 due to high volume.
  • Awards and disbursement
    • CNSGP: $4,465,000 awarded to 142 organizations; 131 of these were partial awards to extend reach.
    • CNSPGP: $500,000 awarded to 23 organizations; 1 partial award, 22 full awards.
    • Contracting: March 2026 – recipients received contracting materials and executed contracts prior to incurring costs.
    • Disbursement policy: full award amount released upon contract execution and approval; a Technical Assistance Webinar was scheduled to review quarterly reporting requirements.
  • Administration
    • Administration set aside: initially $235,000 for OGR administration, later reduced to $183,000 mid-year as a cost-saving measure.

Who is affected

  • Eligible nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts seeking funding for:
    • CNSGP: physical security improvements and related systems.
    • CNSPGP: contracted security personnel (not equipment or law enforcement services).
  • Regional allocation considerations to ensure geographic equity across eastern, central, and western Massachusetts.
  • Beneficiaries include a wide range of faith-based organizations, schools, community centers, and other community-facing nonprofits with histories or assessments indicating higher risk of hate crimes or terrorist threats.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The report was due under the AGF language and linked to the CNSGP/CNSPGP provisions (8000-1127).
  • The process included a late- FY review cycle due to high application volume.
  • Contracts and initial disbursements commenced in March 2026, with ongoing obligations for quarterly reporting and programmatic/financial oversight.

Potential impact

  • Enhanced security posture for at-risk nonprofit organizations, potentially reducing vulnerability to targeted hate crimes or terror-related incidents.
  • Geographic dispersion of funding supports regional resilience across Massachusetts.
  • Structured oversight and transparency through competitive review, clear criteria, and mandated reporting.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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