Interfaith Letter Supporting Increased Funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (2020)

2020 Letter supporting increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program

This October 5, 2020 interfaith letter, signed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for Religious Liberty and a broad coalition of Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Protestant, Evangelical, Lutheran, Episcopal, and other faith organizations, urges Congress to significantly increase funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).

The letter calls for a major expansion of federal nonprofit security grants in response to rising extremism, hate crimes, and threats against religious institutions. The signatories emphasize that the program benefits faith communities of all backgrounds and helps safeguard the free exercise of religion across the United States.

Key Points

1.Growing Threats to Religious Communities

The letter argues that houses of worship and faith-based institutions face increasing threats from hate crimes and domestic violent extremism. It cites FBI statistics showing that at least 1,244 hate crimes against members of represented faith communities were reported in 2018 and references warnings from FBI Director Christopher Wray about threats to "soft targets" such as places of worship.

2. Importance of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program

The NSGP provides funding to at-risk nonprofits, including:

• Houses of worship
• Religious schools
• Community centers
• Charitable organizations

The grants help fund security improvements, training, and physical security enhancements designed to protect congregants and staff.

3.Request for Increased Funding

The coalition notes that although $90 million was made available through the program in 2020, most applicants were not funded. As a result, the groups request that Congress increase FY2021 funding to $360 million, divided as:

• $180 million for the Urban Area Security Initiative component (NSGP-UASI)
• $180 million for the State Homeland Security Grant Program component (NSGP-State)

4.Religious Liberty and Public Safety

The letter frames the issue as both a security and religious-liberty concern, arguing that all Americans should be able to worship without fear of violence. It states that protecting religious communities from targeted attacks is an important responsibility of the federal government.

USCCB Interfaith Letter on Nonprofit Security Grants 10.5.20.pdf