Washington – Jewish Org. Applaud President Obama For Proposing $15 Million To Fund Security Grants

Washington – Leading Jewish nonprofits today commended President Obama for including $15 million to fund the Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in his fiscal year 2010 budget to Congress.

UJC/Jewish Federations of North America, the Orthodox Union, Agudath Israel, UJA-Federation New York, and Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago joined together to support the grant initiative as a valuable program of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

At the behest of these community organizations and others, Congress established in 2005 the grant program in recognition that segments of the nonprofit sector are at risk of terrorist attacks including hospitals, health and human services agencies, humanitarian aid organizations, places of worship, schools, community centers, museums, and other institutions that attract large civilian populations.
Since its inception, the program has provided millions of dollars, through modest grants, to assist nonprofits considered by the Secretary of Homeland Security to be at risk and vulnerable to terrorist attack.

The grants are used by these community organizations to improve their physical security, including by the acquisition and installation of perimeter fencing and lighting; video surveillance and x-ray and metal detectors; reinforced or blast resistant doors, locks, and windows; gates and bollards, and related enhancements.

The program is now an integral part of the nation’s homeland security preparedness planning. It integrates nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts.
The President’s request will strengthen the bi-partisan effort underway in Congress to fund the NSGP in FY2010.