A letter organized by Jewish Federations and signed by more than 80 members of Congress is urging the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that terms and conditions around the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) do not deter institutions from applying.
 

“We are writing to you today to express our desire to ensure that the NSGP is adequately funded and unimpeded by new requirements that are unrelated to the security of grant recipients and their communities,” The letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem read.

 

“Insufficient funding or unnecessary obstacles to obtaining grants could undermine the right of every religious community to freely and peacefully worship and congregate without fear,” it continued.

 

NSGP provides funds for houses of worship and nonprofits to secure themselves against potential threats.

 

"The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is one of the most vital programs protecting the Jewish community," said Jewish Federations of North American President and CEO Eric Fingerhut. "We continue to encourage every Jewish institution with heightened security needs to apply for these funds. We have also heard from our community that the current terms and conditions have had the unintended effect of deterring some organizations from applying, which is why we believe they should be updated appropriately."