FEMA releases $300 million for nonprofit and house of worship security

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released $300 million in federal security grants for fiscal year 2026 through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The funding is intended to protect approximately 1,600 nonprofit organizations and houses of worship across the United States that are considered at high risk of terrorist or extremist attacks. These grants support physical security upgrades, training, and other protective measures.

In Maryland, 49 organizations, including various churches, synagogues, and religious schools, are set to receive a combined $8.6 million from the program. Recipients include institutions such as the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and several Chabad Lubavitch organizations.

Demand for the program continues to exceed available resources. The Jewish Federations of North America reported that Jewish institutions spent over $1 billion on security in 2025, a 33% increase from the previous year. In response to rising security costs and threats, the bipartisan Jewish American Security Act has been introduced in Congress to authorize $1 billion for the program.