Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 31 July 2026

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

FEMA approves only 27% of 2025 Nonprofit Security Grant applications

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has finalized awards for the 2025 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), nearly a year after applications opened. Of approximately 6,000 applications submitted nationwide, only about 1,600 organizations received funding, meaning fewer than 27% of applicants were awarded grants. FEMA attributed the delays to the time required for state agencies to process applications and disruptions caused by repeated Department of Homeland Security shutdowns. More than 60% of the awarded funding went to houses of worship, including Christian churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other faith communities, reflecting the continued priority placed on protecting religious organizations facing elevated security risks.

Analyst Comments: For faith-based organizations, the announcement reinforces that demand for nonprofit security funding continues to far exceed available resources. With fewer than one-third of applicants receiving awards, security planning cannot rely solely on grant funding. Organizations benefit from maintaining current security assessments, documenting risks, updating emergency and incident response plans, and identifying security improvements that can be implemented over time as funding becomes available. The competitive nature of the NSGP also underscores the value of maintaining strong relationships with state emergency management agencies and preparing grant documentation well before application periods open. Recent leadership changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FEMA, along with broader discussions surrounding federal funding and agency priorities, have introduced additional uncertainty into the grant landscape. While it is difficult to attribute delays or award amounts to any single factor, these developments highlight the potential for shifts in funding timelines and available resources in the near term. Even for organizations that did not receive funding, strengthening physical security, training staff and volunteers, and coordinating with local law enforcement remain important steps in reducing risk and improving overall resilience.