On February 24th, in a webinar hosted by Agudath Israel’s Yeshiva Services Division, representatives of yeshivos and other Jewish nonprofit organizations across the country, heard a detailed presentation on the process of applying for the 2016 Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
The presenter, Mr. David Pollock, Associate Executive Director, and Director of Public Policy and Security at the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), explained that yeshivos, shuls and other Jewish organizations may apply for grants of up to $75,000 to pay for security equipment, detection and screening systems or security training, to prevent or protect against a terrorist attack. To be eligible, organizations must be located within regions designated by the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). Twenty million dollars has been appropriated nationwide for this grant.
Mr. Pollock went through the application and advised participants on what they needed to include to be considered for funding. He said that the key to obtaining a grant lies in writing a strong “Investment Justification.” The application must clearly show the terrorist threat to the organization and the means by which the proposed project will help with one of the four “D’s” – deterrence, detection, denial and damage mitigation. Emphasizing the religious aspect of an organization will help, as religious organizations are considered bigger targets. Similarly, an organization that serves children or seniors should mention it. One should be as detailed and forthright in one’s assessment as possible, using authoritative documentation, such as a crime inspection survey from the local precinct.
Mrs. Deborah Zachai, Director of Education Affairs for Agudath Israel of America, said, “In an increasingly dangerous world, yeshivos and other Jewish organizations must take the necessary steps to prevent attacks on their facilities. Armed with the information provided in this webinar, many yeshivos and shuls will now have a better shot at obtaining the funding for important security enhancements to help keep children and adults in our community safe.”
(Judith Dinowitz – YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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One Response
Gut voch from Eretz Yisrael.
I have successfully written many DHS grants over the years, and I have written a few that were not awarded. So please allow me to add my experience to the advice:
1. If you received a grant in the past few years, don’t waste your time applying. There isn’t enough money to go round – unless your organization is one that was attacked recently.
2. Mr. Pollock is correct: the IJ must be strong. Bring PROOF – refer to police reports, insurance claims, hospital records etc. At the very last minute, one client remembered one of the 9-11 bombers had bought a car from his secretary & sat at the library round the corner from his Yeshiva. That got him the grant. Crucial information, don’t leave anything out inc threats, suspicious people dropping in, harassment etc.
3. I would avoid using a police evaluation as very often, they view the property from a police perspective rather than from a security/anti-terrorism one.
4.DO NOT go with a company who says they will write your grant for free IF you use them to install your security measures when (if) you get awarded. Chances are they won’t do a good job, and even if they do succeed, they will be more expensive than other firms.
5. Get an evaluation from a reputable security firm, or an institution like John Jay College of Criminal Investigation. I have worked with them for numerous clients, they are reliable & accurate.
6. If you have excellent security and your place is like Fort Knox, don’t bother. If you have a shtiebel on 13th Avenue, don’t bother. But…. if you have a Yeshiva or girls’ school opposite a well attended mosque, or your neighborhood is full of white supremacists & redneck gun owners, an application might be a good idea. Look carefully at what will help YOUR needs – strong lighting, video security, card entry system…Remember: DHS will not pay a guard’s salary, but will pay to train him. And it is highly unlikely he would be armed.
Again: this is a competitive grant. The first thing the lowest tier reviewers look for is did you complete it according to the instructions. They won’t even read it if not.
Oh, one last thing – a few years ago I was called by DHS in Albany (we are well known up there, in a very good way!) to ask if I was knew a few different organizations. Although most of them were familiar names & in one case, was a former client who wanted to pay less that year for a completed application including online submission, we had not submitted applications on their behalf. It turned out that every application was basically identical; an easy way to make a lot of money. One size does NOT fit all!
Hatzlacha, may you all be successful and safe.