Faith Leaders and Lawmakers Seek $1 Billion Boost for House-of-Worship Security Grants

On May 24 2024, a coalition of religious leaders and bipartisan members of Congress met in Washington to request a $1 billion expansion of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which funds security upgrades for houses of worship.

NPR

The NSGP, administered by FEMA under the Department of Homeland Security, provides reimbursements for physical security measures. FY 2025 funding totaled $274.5 million, but a DHS shutdown delayed award distribution. Recent attacks on Temple Israel in Michigan (March) and a San Diego mosque (May) heightened urgency.

NPR

Key participants include Rabbi Jen Lader (Temple Israel), Eric Fingerhut (Jewish Federations of North America), Fadi Hammami (Islamic Association of Greater Hartford), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), FEMA’s Victoria Barton, and CAIR’s Robert McCaw.

NPR

The program received 12,000 applications in FY 2024; roughly 4,000 (33 %) were funded. Grants can reach $200,000 per site, up to $600,000 for three sites in a state. The proposed bill would raise total funding to $1 billion, far above the FY 2025 appropriation of $274.5 million.

NPR

Enhanced security can deter or mitigate attacks, as recent incidents showed that door locks, cameras, and on-site guards saved lives. The program also addresses congregants’ fear of targeted violence and supports community resilience.

NPR

FEMA’s Victoria Barton said the agency is working to expedite disbursements once Congress approves additional funds. Lawmakers stressed the need for a 90-day reimbursement deadline to reduce the cash-flow burden on nonprofits.

NPR

Critics argue the reimbursement model forces smaller houses of worship to front-load costs, and that DHS’s past guidance linking grants to immigration enforcement cooperation deters Muslim groups from applying.

NPR

FEMA maintains no current restrictions on Muslim applicants, while CAIR cites earlier DHS guidance that may still affect eligibility. The reimbursement provision in the proposed bill has not yet been finalized.

NPR

“We are not asking Congress to just protect Jews – we are asking Congress to protect every community of Americans that gathers to pray. And we are asking with the full weight of what we have just lived through behind us,” — Rabbi Jen Lader, Temple Israel

NPR

“It's tragic that we have to be thinking about this in the same way that TSA protects airports and businesses protect their premises, but we have to,” — Eric Fingerhut, Jewish Federations of North America

NPR

“I've got religious leaders constantly calling me and saying, 'I'm scared. My parishioners are scared,'” — Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-NJ

NPR

“Under prior administrations, CAIR worked with FEMA and DHS to issue guidance, clarifying to the Muslim community that applying to this grant program would not result in any hostile investigations,” — Robert McCaw, CAIR

NPR

Congress will hold hearings on the funding bill in June, with a vote expected before the August recess. FEMA plans to release FY 2025 award decisions in July, and DHS is slated to issue revised guidance on grant eligibility.

NPR