Grants – Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) and Forms

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) has extended the application period for the 2019 Nonprofit Homeland Security Grant Program (NSGP) to 11:59 PM Alaska Time on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

Last fiscal year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expanded guidance of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) and allowed 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 2018 NPSG-S the State of Alaska was awarded $103,000.00 to fund the projects of two sub-recipients.

To prepare for Alaska’s possible eligibility again in fiscal year (FY) 2019, DHS&EM, is soliciting NPSG-S project applications from eligible non-profits until 11:59 PM Alaska Time on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

At this time, Alaska is allocated for $100,000. Funding will be administered as sub-award(s) by the program’s State Administrative Agency (SAA), the DHS&EM.

Individual sub-awards are capped at $100,000 per program guidance. If feasible, projects may be partially funded to maximize the program’s benefit. The FY 2019 NSGP local period of performance is to be 24 months, October 01, 2019 through September 30, 2021.

DHS&EM is instructing applicants to review the FY 2019 NOFO 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 Tuesday, April 30, 2019. 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 NSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

As part of the FY 2019 NSGP application each eligible nonprofit sub-applicant must submit the following four (4) documents to DHS&EM by 11:59 PM Alaska Time on Tuesday, April 30, 2019:

1. NSGP Investment Justification (IJ)
   
   Each sub-applicant, 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 NOFO.
2. Vulnerability/Risk Assessment
   
   Each sub-applicant must include its vulnerability/risk assessment on which the request in the IJ is based.
3. Mission Statement
   
   Each sub-applicant 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. Applicants must also register and/or maintain current status in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). 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. Applicants must also register and/or maintain current status in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). It may take four weeks or more after submittal of the SAM registration before the registration is active in SAM. Please notify DHS&EM if your organization has a DUNS number, but does not have a SAM registration at this time.

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.

Agencies located within the Municipality of Anchorage and the boroughs of Matanuska-Susitna and Kenai Peninsula: Please note, this grant program is not for repairs to damages caused by the November 30, 2018 Cook Inlet Earthquake disaster event. For information on eligibility for costs associated with this event, please see the FEMA Fact Sheet and contact information located here: FS 003 FEMA Public Assistance for Faith-Based, Community, Volunteer and Private Nonprofit Organizations.pdf