Jewish Federations Express Gratitude for Additional Security Funding

Jewish Federations express their gratitude to House Homeland Security Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Gary Peters (D-MI) for helping to secure an additional $100 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in the Homeland Security portion of the reconciliation package.

 

"Communities can only flourish when their security needs are met. The inclusion of an additional $100 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program will save lives, help keep Jewish and other communities safe, and allow them to flourish" said Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America.

 

"Just yesterday, we commemorated three years since the Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh, the worst violent anitsemitic attack in the nation's history. Additional funding to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program will not only help secure synagogues, but houses of worship and nonprofits of every stripe across the nation that face threats at a time of increased violent extremism," he added.

 

The NSGP provides grants to nonprofits to help fund security measures such as inspection and screening systems, physical barriers, and development of emergency preparedness plans.

 

This year, as hate crimes spiked and houses of worship were increasingly targeted, the NSGP was able to fund fewer than half of all applicants.

 

Fingerhut advocated for increasing NSGP funds at a Senate HSGAC hearing on violent extremism this Summer.

 

Homeland Security Appropriations bills in both chambers propose leaving NSGP funding flat at $180 million, as overall proposed funding levels remain unchanged.

 

Federations' advocacy for further government investment in community safety measures is part of the public-private partnership envisioned in the historic LiveSecure campaign, which is raising $54 million in philanthropic dollars to spread the security umbrella to every Jewish community across the country and help fortify Jewish communal institutions.

 

Jewish Federations also thank Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) for his leadership on this program, and the perennial champions Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and John Katko (R-NY) for supporting NSGP funding. We look forward to continuing to work with them to increase annual funding for the program through the appropriations process.