The 2024-25 Shapiro-Davis budget doubled down on the $5 million provided last year for the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, securing $10 million to support security enhancements to combat hate crime and protect Pennsylvanians; highest number of nonprofit organizations received grants this year
Harrisburg — Today, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) announced $10 million in funding for nonprofit organizations to combat hate crimes by enhancing the safety and security of their facilities. This latest round of Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding has been awarded to 208 nonprofit organizations across 31 Pennsylvania counties.
“All Pennsylvanians deserve to worship peacefully, no matter what you look like, where you come from, or who you pray or do not pray to,” said Governor Shapiro. “That’s why, in our latest budget, we doubled the Commonwealth’s investment in the nonprofit security grant fund to help places like mosques, churches, and synagogues equip themselves with security measures. Under Lieutenant Governor Davis’ leadership at PCCD, we’re working together to drive out this funding to our communities and ensure that every Pennsylvanian has the real freedom that comes when you can walk down the street in your community without worrying about violence.”
“The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to fostering a sense of safety and belonging for everyone, ensuring that no matter who you are, where you come from, or what you believe in, you can access services without the fear of hate or violence,” said Lt. Governor Austin Davis, chair of PCCD. “Thanks to the additional $5 million our Administration secured in this year’s budget, 102 entities, out of the 208 awarded, who have never received this funding before will be able to strengthen security at their facilities, ensuring those they serve feel safer while accessing services.”
This is the seventh cohort of the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, which has provided $25 million in funding to more than 580 organizations since its inception. Based on reported data of the number of people who visit these facilities, it is estimated that approximately four million people across the Commonwealth have been impacted by this funding to date.
Eligible entities under this solicitation included nonprofit organizations, including faith-based institutions (e.g., churches, synagogues, mosques), community centers, and other organizations and facilities who principally serve individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents, as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication. Entities will use funding for security enhancements for a wide variety of eligible items including safety and security planning and training, purchase of safety and security equipment and technology, upgrades to existing structures that enhance safety and security, and vulnerability and threat assessments.
More information about the 208 selected applicants, county served, and award amounts can be found on the PCCD website.
The 2024-25 Shapiro-Davis state budget makes significant investments to improve community safety in Pennsylvania through various additional programs at PCCD. That includes doubling the state’s investment in the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund, a $5 million increase— $45 million in total— for the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP), and $11.5 million to create a first-ever statewide Building Opportunity through Out of School Time (BOOST) program, to reduce community violence by providing more afterschool opportunities for youth. The VIP and BOOST solicitations are currently open and accepting applications until October 31, 2024.
Governor Shapiro also recently signed an Executive Order re-establishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention within PCCD. The Office will bring together state agencies working on gun violence prevention to create one comprehensive, coordinated strategy for the Commonwealth to reduce gun deaths, injuries, and crime. Additionally, the Office is seeking input from community stakeholders to understand the impact of gun violence in Pennsylvania communities and identify potential solutions.
