Alaska Department of Military and Veteran Affairs Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Grants Section

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced their intent to release the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FY2020 for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). This program allows for eligible nonprofits in Alaska to apply for funding for physical security enhancements and other security activities (planning, exercise, and training) through the NSGP-State program.

Under the NPSG-S the State of Alaska was awarded $100,000.00 in FY2019.

To prepare, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM), is soliciting NPSG-S project applications from eligible non-profits until 11:59 PM Alaska Time on Thursday, March 5, 2020.

The federal DHS has not yet released FY 2020 NOFO. When released, the complete FY 2020 NSGP NOFO will be posted on this website. While not anticipated, the federal guidance release may contain additional program requirements or objectives. Any significant modifications will be communicated and if needed, will be addressed in 2020 Obligating Awards and accompanying award letters for successful recipients.

At this time specifics on the amount of funding Alaska may receive is unknown. DHS&EM anticipates receiving approximately $100,000.00 for projects throughout the entire State. Funding will be administered as subaward(s) by the program’s State Administrative Agency (SAA), the DHS&EM.

Individual subawards are capped at $100,000 per program guidance. If feasible, projects may be partially funded to maximize the program’s benefit. The FY 2020 NSGP local period of performance is anticipated to be 24 months, October 01, 2020 through September 30, 2022.

DHS&EM is instructing applicants to review the State’s Overview and Guideline, the FY 2020 NOFO, and the FEMA Preparedness Grants Manual for specifics on program priorities and eligible activities. The Investment Justification (IJ) serves as the majority of the “application” for the grant.

The NSGP focuses on target hardening projects and projects related to security training for all nonprofit staff, planning related costs, and exercise related costs, in addition to allowable target hardening equipment. The NSGP seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack with broader state and local preparedness efforts. Please read the NOFO for further program guidelines.

Eligible nonprofit organizations are described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require certain organizations such as churches, mosques, and synagogues to apply for and receive a recognition of exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Such organizations are automatically exempt if they meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3) and are determined to be at high risk of a terrorist attack by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Complete applications must be received by DHS&EM by 11:59 PM Alaska Time on Thursday, March 5, 2020. Applications should be submitted via email to mva.grants@alaska.gov or fax to 907-428-7009. Email of the documents is the preferred method of submission. Information on the State’s review and scoring process can be found in the NOFO.

As part of the FY 2020 NSGP application each eligible nonprofit subapplicant must submit the following four (4) documents to DHS&EM by 11:59 PM Alaska Time on Thursday, March 5, 2020.

1. NSGP Investment Justification (IJ)
   Each subapplicant, must develop a formal IJ that addresses each investment proposed for funding. Security enhancements must be for the locations that the nonprofit occupies at the time of application. The investments or projects described in the IJ must:
   • Address an identified risk, including threat and vulnerability, and build or sustain a core capability identified in the Goal;
   • Demonstrate the ability to provide enhancements consistent with the purpose of the program and guidance provided by DHS/FEMA;
   • Be both feasible and effective at reducing the risks for which the project was designed;
   • Be able to be fully completed within the three-year period of performance; and
   • Be consistent with all applicable requirements outlined in the FY 2020 NOFO, State’s Overview and Guidelines, and the FEMA Preparedness Grants Manual.
2. Vulnerability/Risk Assessment
   Each subapplicant must include its vulnerability/risk assessment on which the request in the IJ is based.
3. Mission Statement
   Each subapplicant must include its Mission Statement and any mission implementing policies or practices that may elevate the organization’s risk. Recognizing the impact an organization’s ideology, beliefs, or mission may have on their risk of potential terrorist threats, SAA’s will use the Mission Statement along with information provided in the applicant’s IJ in order to validate the organization type. The central purpose of the organization described in the Mission Statement will be used to validate the organization type identified in the IJ as one of the following: 1) Ideology-based/Spiritual/Religious; 2) Educational; 3) Medical; or 4) Other.
4. DHS&EM Signatory Authority Form
   Applicants will also need a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. Applications can only be submitted with a current and valid DUNS number; pending DUNS numbers will not be accepted.

Webinar Invitation Information DHS is holding informational webinar on the grant program for interested subapplicants. Webinars are scheduled for January 30, February 4, February 12, February 20, and February 26. Please see attached Invitation document. There is also an archived webinar available from FEMA on centurylink webcasts.

For additional questions please contact the DHS&EM Grants Section by email mva.grants@alaska.gov or at 907-428-7000, toll-free 800-478-2337.