Non-Profit Security Grant Program

FEMA published the FY26 NSGP Notice of Opportunity (NOFO) on 6/24/2026. The document is available online and at Grants.gov.  

FY26 NSGP Update

Nonprofits in NC must apply for FY26 NSGP funding through our Salesforce grants management portal during the application period July 2, 2026, to July 17, 2026, at 11:59pm. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

This short video instructs individuals who need Salesforce access for their organization for NSGP how to request a new user-ID, if they are not already a registered user in the system.

Eligible nonprofit sub-applicants will be able to apply for up to $200,000 per individual site, up to (3) different sites, for a maximum of $600,000.  Each site requires a separate application and will be scored separately.

As of the date this website was last updated on 7/2/26, DHS/FEMA has not yet announced any FY25 NSGP sub-awardees. Consequently, eligible sub-applicants should apply for a different project for FY26 NSGP than they did for FY25 NSGP.  If a sub-applicant applies for the same project for both FY25 NSGP and FY26 NSGP, and FEMA awards that sub-applicant their project for FY25 NSGP, their FY26 NSGP application will be automatically denied.  This is because non-profits cannot be awarded funding twice for the same project.  

If FEMA does not award a sub-applicant their project for FY25 NSGP, and that sub-applicant applies for the same project for FY26 NSGP, then their FY26 NSGP application can be considered for funding.  However, even if their FY25 NSGP projects are not funded, sub-applicants may still want to consider applying for different projects for FY26 NSGP to maximize their competitiveness for FY26 NSGP funding.  

All FY26 NSGP sub-applicants must submit the FY26 Investment Justification (IJ) form.  Any FY26 NSGP sub-applications submitted with an FY25 (or prior year) NSGP IJ form will be automatically denied.

All FY26 NSGP IJ forms must use the following naming convention for the PDF file:

  • For the NSGP-UA: “FY2026_NSGP_UA_NC_Charlotte_<Nonprofit Name>”
  • For NSGP-S: “FY2026_NSGP_S_NC_<Nonprofit Name>”

FY26 NSGP applications submitted with an FY26 NSGP IJ form that fails to use this naming convention for the PDF file can be automatically denied.

For the required FY26 NSGP Investment Justification (IJ) form, you must save/download the PDF document to your computer, close your browser, and then use Adobe to open the saved/downloaded PDF document from your computer. The form is not web-viewable or web-fillable from a browser; it must be opened in Abode (or similar PDF program) on your computer to work properly.

For step-by-step instructions how to download and open the IJ form on your computer: 
•    Windows OS
•    Mac OS

Any FY26 NSGP sub-applications submitted without a fully & properly completed FY26 NSGP IJ form will be automatically denied.
 

For the required FY26 NSGP Investment Justification (IJ) form, you must save/download the PDF document to your computer, close your browser, and then use Adobe to open the saved/downloaded PDF document from your computer. The form is not web-viewable or web-fillable from a browser; it must be opened in Abode (or similar PDF program) on your computer to work properly.
For step-by-step instructions how to download and open the IJ form on your computer: 
•    Windows OS
•    Mac OS

Any FY26 NSGP sub-applications submitted without a fully & properly completed FY26 NSGP IJ form will be automatically denied.
 

Application Assistance Webinars: 

Office Hours – Open Question & Answer Sessions

Please direct questions related to NSGP to our email inbox: NSGP@ncdps.gov

What is NSGP?

NSGP provides federal funding for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack. NSGP also seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts.

NSGP is a competitive federal grant program from DHS / FEMA administered through North Carolina Dept. of Public Safety (NCDPS) / North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) in the state of NC.  This grant provides up to $600,000 (3 locations per organization, $200,000 each location) of funding support for target hardening and other security enhancements and activities to eligible nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack.

There are two funding sources appropriated for nonprofit organizations:

  1. NSGP - State (NSGP-S): NSGP-S funds nonprofit organizations located outside of a FY 2026 UASI-designated high-risk urban area. Under NSGP-S, each state will receive a target allocation for nonprofit organizations in the state located outside of the FY 2026 UASI-designated high-risk urban areas, which are defined as all locations outside the Charlotte Area in NC.
  2. NSGP - Urban Area (NSGP-UA): NSGP-UA funds nonprofit organizations located within the FY 2026 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)-designated high-risk urban area, which is defined as the Charlotte Area in NC.
     

NSGP Charlotte Area UASI includes these 8 counties: 

CabarrusLincoln
CatawbaMecklenburg
GastonStanly
IredellUnion

FY26 NSGP-UA total federal funding target allocation for NC: $820,435

FY26 NSGP-S total federal funding target allocation for NC: $4,275,000

This is currently one of the highest FY26 NSGP-S total federal funding target allocations among all states in the nation, with only 2 states having a higher total federal funding target allocation than NC.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the FY 2026 NSGP, a nonprofit organization must:

  • Meet the description under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) of 1986 and be exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code;
  • For NSGP-UA, be located within one of the FY 2026 UASI-designated high risk urban areas (Charlotte area); for NSGP-S, be located outside of the FY 2026 UASI designated high risk urban areas; and
  • Be able to demonstrate, through the application, that the organization is at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack.
     

Nonprofit Security Grant Program Primary Purpose -- TARGET HARDENING

Example eligible target hardening projects include:
  • Private contracted security guards
  • Physical security enhancements
  • Closed circuit television (CCTV)
  • Security cameras
  • Security screening equipment for people and baggage
  • Access controls
  • Fencing, gates, barriers, etc.
  • Card readers, associated hardware/software
  • Conduct or enhancement of security risk assessments
  • Development of:
    • Security plans and protocols
    • Emergency/contingency plans
    • Evacuation/shelter in place plans
    • Active shooter training, including integrating the needs of persons with disabilities
    • Security training for employees
    • Public awareness/preparedness campaign
  • Response exercises

The following projects & costs are considered INELIGBLE for award consideration:

  • Organization costs, and operational overtime costs; 
  • Hiring of public safety personnel (excluding off duty law enforcement personnel in the capacity of contract security); 
  • General use expenditures; 
  • Overtime and backfill; 
  • Initiatives that do not address the implementation of programs/initiatives to build prevention and protection-focused capabilities directed at identified facilities and/or the surrounding communities; 
  • The development of risk/vulnerability assessment models; 
  • Initiatives that fund risk or vulnerability security assessments or the development of the Investment Justification (IJ); 
  • Initiatives in which federal agencies are the beneficiary or that enhance federal property; 
  • Initiatives which study technology development; 
  • Proof-of-concept initiatives; and 
  • Direct or indirect pass-through benefits to non-eligible entities.

License plate reader and facial recognition software are NOT allowed.

NSGP-S and NSGP-UA Subaward Cap Maximum Award: 

For FY26 for NSGP-UA and NSGP-S, eligible nonprofit sub-applicants with one site may apply for up to $200,000 for that site.

Nonprofit sub-applicants with multiple sites may apply for up to $200,000 per site for up to three sites per funding source, for a maximum of $600,000 per sub-applicant per state.  That is, a nonprofit organization with sites in both NSGP-S and NSGP-UA areas in any given state may apply for a total of up to six sites (three sites for NSGP-S and three sites for NSGP-UA), but the total of their applications cannot exceed $600,000.

A nonprofit organization with locations in multiple states may apply for up to three sites within each state and funding stream (three for NSGP-S and three for NSGP-UA per state).  Each individual site must have a unique Vulnerability Assessment and complete FY26 NSGP Investment Justification (IJ). For example, a nonprofit organization with sites in both NSGP-S and NSGP-UA areas in two different states may apply for a total of up to six sites (three sites for NSGP-S and three sites for NSGP-UA) in each state, but the total of their applications cannot exceed $600,000 per state.

A nonprofit organization sub-applicant with multiple sites may not exceed a total of six applications (three for NSGP-S and three for NSGP-UA) for a total of $600,000 per state.  Each site requires a separate application and will be scored separately.

If a nonprofit applies for projects at multiple sites, regardless of whether the projects are similar in nature, each individual site must include a Vulnerability Assessment and FY26 NSGP Investment Justification (IJ) unique to each site. That is, one Vulnerability Assessment and one FY26 NSGP Investment Justification (IJ) per location/physical address. 

Nonprofit sub-applicants are required to self-identify with one of the following four categories in the IJ as part of the application process:

  • Ideology-based/Spiritual/Religious (Houses of Worship, Educational Institutions, Medical Facilities, etc.)
  • Educational (secular)
  • Medical (secular)
  • Other
     

FY26 NSGP Sub-Application Process for Eligible Nonprofits in NC

Applications for eligible nonprofits in NC

Applications for eligible nonprofits in NC open in Salesforce on July 2, 2026 and close at 11:59 PM on July 17,2026.

All applicants for both NSGP-S and NSGP-UA need to fill out the FY26 NSGP Investment Justification (IJ) fillable PDF. This is your application. This fillable PDF must be submitted in Salesforce no later than July 17, 2026, at 11:59PM.
 

Applications Must Contain:

  • Vulnerability Assessment: Link is from DHS/FEMA “NSGP Sub-applicant Quick Start Guide.” Each nonprofit sub applicant must include a site-specific vulnerability/risk assessment unique to the site for which the IJ is submitted. Follow the guidance in this link to complete the required vulnerability assessment. There are no state-specific guidelines for vulnerability assessments for FY26 NSGP in NC.
  • Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Valid SAM.gov Registration: Visit SAM.gov to register. Sub-recipients do not need to have a valid UEI at the time of application but must have a valid UEI to receive a subaward.
  • FY26 NSGP Investment Justification (IJ): You must download this form onto your computer and open it with Adobe to complete it as it is not web-viewable or web-fillable. The IJ is the application form used to apply for NSGP.
  • Organization mission statement: Each nonprofit sub applicant must include its Mission Statement and any mission implementation policies or practices that may elevate the organization’s risk.
  • Short bios and resumes: This submission should include the type of entity, organizational leadership, and list of board members (if applicable) along with the names and business addresses of the individuals. Sensitive personally identifiable information (PII) such as personal addresses, phone numbers, etc. should not be included with this information.  Sub-applicants will upload this information with their application in Salesforce.
  • Supporting documentation: Sub-applicants should provide documentation related to actual incidents that have occurred at the location/facility, if applicable.  This includes items such as police reports or photographs (include a brief description of the items you are submitting in your IJ).
  • Self-Certification: Nonprofits must self-certify their organization type in their IJ for final scoring purposes, based on the information they provide in their IJ: ideology-based/ spiritual/religious entities (Houses of Worship, Educational Institutions, Medical Facilities, etc.), secular medical and educational institutions, and all other nonprofit organizations.  This is subject to verification by NCEM and DHS/FEMA.
     

Other requirements from DHS/FEMA:

  • Sub-applicants should not have foreign nationals or noncitizens included: If a sub-applicant has foreign nationals, they must be properly vetted and must adhere to all government statues, polices, and procedures. If awarded funds, sub-recipients may be required to provide information on whether their work or mission involves supporting immigrants [DHS/FEMA uses the term “aliens” instead of immigrants] - regardless of whether FEMA funds support such activities - and whether any FEMA funding was used for an activity involving support to immigrants. Sub-recipients may also be required to disclose if they have any “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion” (DEI) practices.  Sub-applicants are encouraged to seek legal counsel before applying for or agreeing to an NSGP subaward. NSGP sub-applicants and sub-recipients may wish to contact their counsel regarding particular operations and potential liability or concerns based on civil rights statutes and regulations.
  • A security review will be performed by the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis on prospective sub-recipient nonprofit organizations: This review takes place after the competitive scoring and selection process is complete. The information provided is limited to the organization’s name and physical address, as submitted by the nonprofit organization.

     

Scoring of Applications

NCEM (the “SAA” for NC) will score all sub-applications as follows:

  • Verify if the nonprofit is an eligible organization for FY26 NSGP, and verify if the nonprofit is located inside (NSGP-UA) or outside (NSGP-S) the designated Charlotte Area UASI;
  • Review and score all complete application packages (including vulnerability assessments & mission statement) using the “NSGP Scoring Criteria” provided by DHS/FEMA in Appendix D of the FY26 NSGP NOFO;
  • Validate the self-certified organization type listed in the IJ by assessing the central purpose of the organization described in the mission statement;
  • Prioritize all NSGP IJs by ranking each IJ. Each IJ will receive a unique rank (#1 [one] being the highest ranked through the total number of applications the SAA scored);
  • Note that IJs will be deemed incomplete if the sub-applicant uses a prior year IJ form, submits a scanned copy of an IJ form, or leaves any required information blank in the IJ form.  No substitutes will be accepted for the required FY26 NSGP Investment Justification (IJ) form. 
     

To calculate an application’s final score, the sub-applicant’s NCEM (the “SAA” for NC) score will be multiplied by DHS/FEMA as follows:

  • By a factor of three for ideology-based/spiritual/religious entities (Houses of Worship, Educational Institutions, Medical Facilities, etc.);
  • By a factor of two for secular medical and educational institutions; and
  • By a factor of one for all other nonprofit organizations.

Sub-applicants that have never received an NSGP award will have 15 points added to their score by DHS/FEMA.
 

FY 26 Information

Additional resources:

If NSGP sub-applicants and sub-recipients have questions about federal nondiscrimination obligations, they may contact FEMA’s Office of Civil Rights by emailing FEMA OCR@fema.dhs.gov

Please direct questions related to NSGP to our email inbox: NSGP@ncdps.gov
 

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