Congresswoman Lee Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect High-Risk Faith-Based and Community Organizations

October 6, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) introduced the bipartisan Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act , which would make it easier for nonprofit organizations at high risk of terrorist attack to access federal grant funding for target hardening and physical security enhancements. “We can all agree that our children should be able to go to school and that families should be able to worship without fear. As hate crimes rise throughout the country, nonprofit organizations, churches, synagogues, mosques, and religious schools are diverting their scarce resources away from serving their communities to pay for security cameras, guards, and emergency trainings,” said Congresswoman Lee . “No organization should be forced to choose between keeping their members safe or their financial stability. This commonsense, bipartisan bill will help nonprofit organizations fund security improvements and overall preparedness, so they can keep those they serve safe amid increased violence and harassment.” “Every American should be able to worship without fear. When a church, synagogue, or other place of worship is approved for a federal security grant, it should be able to spend the money to improve security immediately. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act gets security dollars out the door faster and helps protect our communities,” said Congresswoman Salazar. Congress created the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in 2004 to help nonprofit organizations prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist or extremist attacks. The program funds target hardening, physical security improvements, and related preparedness activities for nonprofits at high risk of terrorism or hate-motivated violence. Under current law, nonprofit organizations selected to receive an NSGP grant through a competitive application process must pay out of pocket for approved critical security upgrades and then wait months—or even years—to be reimbursed. This places these organizations in an impossible situation: cut into their limited budgets to ensure the safety of those they serve without any idea of when they might see that money or forgo critical security upgrades to ensure they can continue their work unabated. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act would amend the current law to require that NSGP awards be issued to approved nonprofits in advance, rather than as a reimbursement for costs already incurred. By allowing advance payments, FEMA could better support approved nonprofits that lack upfront capital, speed implementation of needed security measures, and strengthen protection for vulnerable communities. “Synagogues and nonprofit are paying out of pocket for essential security, then waiting months or years to get their money back,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director . “Providing funding upfront to institutions already approved for security grants would help ease that financial burden and allow them to make critical security improvements sooner. We thank Representatives Susie Lee and María Elvira Salazar for advancing this commonsense solution to get security dollars where they’re needed, when they’re needed.” “According to American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) State of Antisemitism in America 2025 Report, 28% of American Jews say that at least one Jewish institution they are affiliated with has been a target of antisemitic incidents in the last five years. As threats against Jewish institutions continue to rise, we applaud Representatives Susie Lee and María Elvira Salazar for introducing the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act,” said Julie Rayman, AJC’s Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs. “By removing a financial barrier that can delay or prevent needed security upgrades, this legislation will help at-risk institutions better protect the communities they serve.” “Counties are on the front lines of keeping communities safe, but too often they are left filling the gap when nonprofits can’t afford to pay upfront for critical security upgrades,” said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase . “The Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act would allow approved nonprofits to receive funding upfront, helping them strengthen security sooner rather than delaying upgrades due to lack of capital. That means safer facilities, stronger coordination with local law enforcement and more resilient communities. Counties urge Congress to advance this bipartisan legislation quickly.” “The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is an important resource for houses of worship to better secure themselves against acts of hate and prepare for all kinds of emergencies, but the logistical burdens of the process can pose barriers to applicants. This important proposal to disburse funds up front rather than requiring a reimbursement-based model removes one such major hurdle. With these kinds of improvements, as well as timely and apolitical execution by the Department of Homeland Security, NSGP can continue to serve more of our nation's most vulnerable communities in a time of increased threats.” – Mannirmal Kaur, Senior Federal Policy Manager, The Sikh Coalition. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Improvement Act is endorsed by Jewish Nevada, American Jewish Committee (AJC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), National Association of Counties (NACO), Secure Community Network, and The Sikh Coalition. More information on the bill is here .