Elfreth Joins Maryland Delegation in Announcing $8.6 Million to Increase Safety and Security in Places of Worship

September 24, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, and Representatives Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, April McClain Delaney, and Johnny Olszewski announced $8,627,091 in federal funding to strengthen security at 49 religious institutions and community centers across Maryland. “Marylanders of all faiths deserve to both be safe and feel safe in their houses of worship. Since coming to Congress, I have continued to prioritize increased security funding for nonprofit and religious institutions – both in Washington in the budget and through our Interfaith Advisory Council – which is why it is so great to join Team Maryland in announcing this $8 million in federal funding for 49 houses of worship, religious institutions, and community centers across our state. Especially as religious institutions spend more and more on security and the number of hate crimes continues to rise, Congress has an important responsibility to ensure the safety of all of our neighbors,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “Every Marylander deserves to be able to exercise their right to religious freedom and worship without fear for their safety. Our faith institutions also help build community in many ways, from providing spiritual services to offering youth programs to supporting local families. As that work continues, we have also seen an appalling increase in threats against faith-based organizations across the state, and we know that more federal funding and reforms are necessary to meet the growing security measures needed to keep community members safe. We will continue working to increase funds for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and to see that these investments go where they are needed most, in light of recent changes to this program,” said Senator Van Hollen. “All Marylanders deserve to feel safe in their homes, schools, communities – and especially in places of worship. It was critical that Team Maryland fight to secure over $8 million in federal funding to strengthen security at religious centers in our state. And I won’t stop fighting until all Marylanders feel and are safe,” said Senator Alsobrooks. “The Nonprofit Security Grant Program has become an essential tool for protecting our houses of worship, schools, community centers, and early-childhood programs. With the alarming rise in antisemitism and other forms of hate, it is critical that everyone feels safe when gathering with their communities and congregations. I’m proud that Team Maryland was able to secure this funding, and I will continue working with our delegation to push for further federal support for nonprofit security,” said Congressman Steny H. Hoyer. “No matter what your faith or religion is, every American should feel safe and secure in their ability to worship peacefully,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. “With this injection of over $8 million in Federal funding, dozens of faith-based institutions across Maryland will be able to improve their security systems and protocols, ensuring that houses of worship remain sanctuaries for practitioners of all beliefs.” “Marylanders should be able to practice their faith without worrying about their safety. This funding will improve security at religious institutions across the First District, from Harford County to the Eastern Shore. Thank you to President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security for helping Maryland’s religious organizations improve security and protect our communities,” said Congressman Harris. “Amidst an alarming increase in antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of toxic hate, Team Maryland is surging more than $8.6 million in federal Nonprofit Security Grants to protect our people,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08). “No American should become a target of senseless violence and intimidation, especially in their house of worship.” “Every Marylander should be able to worship and gather without fear,” said Congressman Ivey. “Team Maryland fought together to secure this federal funding so that faith communities across our state have the resources they need to strengthen security and protect the people they serve. I’m proud of our delegation’s work to deliver these investments and help keep Marylanders safe.” “Whether you are walking into a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or community center, you should never have to fear for your safety. Freedom of religion means the freedom to worship without fear. This $8.6 million investment will help 49 institutions across Maryland strengthen security and protect the communities they serve. I’ll keep working with Team Maryland to ensure our faith communities have the resources they need to keep people safe,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. “Our faith communities are critical community anchors and bring so many Marylanders together,” said Congressman Johnny Olszewski (MD-02). “This funding gives 49 religious institutions and community centers across our state the resources they need to worship, learn, and gather without fear. Team Maryland will keep fighting to make sure our houses of worship have what they need to stay safe.” A full list of the recipients, selected by the Department of Homeland Security, is below: Western Maryland B'er Chayim Congregation Beth Sholom Congregation of Frederick, MD Broadfording Bible Brethren Church Broadfording Bible Brethren Church DBA Global Vision Christian School Broadfording (Main Campus) Broadfording Bible Brethren Church DBA Global Vision Christian School Broadfording (West Campus) Camp Airy Camp Louise Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church Baltimore Area Arundel Christian Church Beth Tfiloh Congregation dba Beth Tfiloh Camps Cecil Memorial United Methodist Church Chabad of Greengate Maryland Inc. Chabad of Harford County, Inc. Congregation Kneseth Israel Hebrew School of the Performing Arts, Inc. Immaculate Heart of Mary School Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Jewels Therapy Clinic John Carroll School Inc. Redemption City Church Baltimore Safe Green Transit Corporation Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church Talmudical Academy of Baltimore Inc. The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen The Greek Orthodox Cemetery West Baltimore United Methodist Church Montgomery & Prince George’s Counties Chabad Lubavitch of Bowie Maryland Inc Chabad Lubavitch of Upper Montgomery County Inc. Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (Lower School) Congregation B'nai Tzedek Covenant Life Church (7501) Covenant Life School (7503) Covenant Life School/Church (7505) Greater Praise and Deliverance Tabernacle Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, Inc. Israel on Campus Coalition, Inc. Imadi Kehilat Pardes Kingdom Full Tabernacle International Ministries Life Changing Christian Center McLean Bible Church (Montgomery) North Brentwood AME Zion Church The Guru Gobind Singh Foundation Trust Inc The Sierra Leone Muslim Jamaat, Inc. (3305) Tikvat Israel Congregation Southern Maryland Camp St. Charles Inc. Crossroads Christian Center, Inc. Eastern Shore Lighthouse Christian Academy The awards are provided through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps high-risk nonprofits, including faith-based institutions, obtain the resources required to support and integrate preparedness activities with broader state and local efforts. The lawmakers fought to fund the Nonprofit Security Grant Program at $300 million through the Fiscal Year 2026 annual appropriations package, an increase from $274.5 million in Fiscal Year 2025. ###