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SD 3190

Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program FY25 Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Funds provide security upgrades or trained personnel to high-risk Massachusetts nonprofits to reduce vulnerability to hate crimes or terrorist threats.

Placed on file
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 3190

SD 3190 — Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program FY25 Report

Status: Placed on file
Introduced: September 11, 2025
Classification: Proposed bill

This document summarizes the FY25 Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program as described in the accompanying report from the Office of Grants and Research (OGR) to the Massachusetts General Court. The report accompanies the FY25 General Appropriation Act provisions governing two grant programs designed to enhance nonprofit security and civil resilience.

Purpose and intent

  • Provide an official reporting framework and program details for the Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CNSGP) and the Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Personnel Grant Program (CNSPGP) funded under the FY25 appropriation (Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024; line item 8000-1127).
  • Target high-risk nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes or terrorist attacks and improve security through physical enhancements or trained security personnel.
  • Ensure geographic equity across eastern, central, and western regions of the Commonwealth.

Key provisions and funding

  • Programs:
    • CNSGP: Funds physical security enhancements (e.g., entry control, surveillance, alarms, lighting, fencing, access control) and related improvements.
    • CNSPGP: Funds qualified, trained security personnel to augment nonprofit security; funds cannot be used for equipment, uniforms, or on-duty law enforcement services.
  • Minimum/allocated grants:
    • A minimum of $50,000 must be expended to the Springfield Jewish Community Center, Inc. (Longmeadow) for parking-lot lighting upgrades to improve safety.
    • At least $500,000 allocated to a pilot security personnel program for high-risk nonprofits, with matching funds required from participating nonprofits at a 1:1 ratio ($1 from nonprofit for every $1 from the Commonwealth).
  • Eligibility:
    • Applicants must be Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofits demonstrating a high risk of terror or hate-crime incidents.
    • One application per nonprofit, with the possibility to apply separately for multiple locations.
  • Funding sources and governance:
    • Administered by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR) as the State Administering Agency (SAA) for federal and state security-related grants.
    • OGR oversees grant management, transparency, and alignment with national/state priorities.

Eligible uses

  • CNSGP (physical security): Equipment and improvements such as exterior doors/locks, surveillance cameras, site alarms, PA systems, security fencing, lighting, and access-control systems.
  • CNSPGP (security personnel): Funding for qualified security personnel; not allowable for equipment purchases or for services provided by on-duty law enforcement.

Application process and review

  • Competitive applications with a two-stage review process (peer review):
    • Two internal reviewers and one external reviewer per submission.
  • Timeline (as established for FY25):
    • Availability notice: September 6, 2024
    • Applicant assistance webinar: September 18, 2024
    • Application deadline: October 10, 2024
    • Award notification: December 2024 (anticipated)
    • Performance period: January 2025 – September 30, 2025
  • Applicant activity:
    • CNSGP: 134 total applications submitted; 3 duplicates identified; 1 ineligible applicant.
    • CNSPGP: 31 applications submitted.

Reporting and timeline

  • Not later than March 3, 2025, EOPSS/OGR must submit a report to the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees detailing:
    • Number of grant applicants and successful recipients
    • Criteria used to evaluate applications
    • Amount of funds awarded to each recipient

Potential impact

  • Enhanced security for at-risk nonprofit organizations, potentially reducing vulnerability to hate crimes and terrorist threats.
  • Geographic equity in grant distribution across regions (eastern, central, western Massachusetts).
  • Increased collaboration with local communities and the nonprofit sector through targeted security investments and the pilot security personnel program.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s content as described in the FY25 CNSGP report and its stated provisions. The bill is currently listed as placed on file.

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

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