Gov. Cuomo announces $17 million to strengthen security for nonprofits facing high risks of terrorism

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced more than $17 million in federal funding has been awarded to 178 nonprofit organizations facing an increased risk of terrorism to strengthen the security of their facilities as well as enhance their overall preparedness. This funding, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through its Nonprofit Security Grant Program, is being allocated to New York through two separate awards -- $12.7 million for organizations within the New York City Metro Area and $4.3 million for organizations throughout the rest of the state. The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services manages these programs in close coordination with local stakeholders.

Nationwide, a total of $90 million is being provided through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program in FY 2020. Of this amount, $50 million in funding was made available to nonprofit organizations located within one of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) designated high-risk urban areas. The remaining $40 million was reserved for jurisdictions outside of the UASI-designated areas.

In New York, the state's UASI-designated high-risk urban area is the New York City Metro Area. Specifically, this consists of New York City, as well as Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. In 2020, New York leads the nation in both total funding and number of awardees in a UASI-designated area, with $12.7 million being awarded to 130 nonprofit organizations. The remaining $4.3 million in federal funding will be awarded to 48 nonprofit organizations throughout the rest of the state.

Allowable costs include:

Planning:

Security Risk Management Plans
Continuity of Operations Plans
Response Plans

Equipment/Staffing:

Physical security enhancement equipment
Inspection and screening systems
Contracted Security Personnel

Training:

Active Shooter Training
Security Training for employees, or members/congregation

Exercises:

Response exercises

This federal funding will bolster ongoing efforts led by Governor Cuomo to ensure non-public schools and cultural centers, including religious-based institutions, have the resources they need to protect against the threat of hate crimes. Already, a total of $25 million in state funding has been awarded to more than 500 organizations through the Governor's Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program.

ON DEMAND: Business-impacting events such as severe weather, man-made disasters, and supply chain disruption are increasing in frequency and making impacts around the globe.

In today's rapidly evolving security landscape, organizations face an ever-growing array of disruptive events, security threats and risks. Traditional reactive approaches to security intelligence often leave businesses vulnerable and ill-prepared to anticipate and mitigate emerging threats that could impact the safety of their people, facilities or operations.