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Deadline and readiness triage
Confirm the Illinois process, site eligibility, assessment status, UEI/SAM readiness and the correct submission window.
FY2026 FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Up to $200,000 to Strengthen Your House of Worship
Nexus helps Illinois churches and other houses of worship turn documented security gaps into a prioritized, procurement-ready physical security scope—and, if awarded, manages installation, commissioning, training, and closeout.
Per eligible site
Up to $200K
No nonfederal cost share for FY2026.
Churches and houses of worship are eligible nonprofit examples.
Competitive funding; eligibility does not guarantee an award.
FY2026 NSGP is open. FEMA’s deadline for State Administrative Agencies is July 24, 2026. Illinois houses of worship submit through IEMA-OHS by the state-established deadline—confirm timing immediately.
Quick self-check
See if your facility may qualify
1. Select your facility type
2. Check what applies to you
From application readiness to closeout
One accountable technical partner. Clear lines of responsibility.
Nexus can support the technical delivery lane. The applicant and State Administrative Agency retain eligibility, assessment, submission and final allowable-cost decisions.
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Risk-to-scope traceability
Connect documented vulnerabilities to practical, potentially allowable controls without brand-locking the application.
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Budget engineering
Create base, priority and stretch scopes so lower-priority alternates can move without breaking the design.
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Post-award delivery
Support procurement documentation, installation, commissioning, training, asset records and closeout evidence after authorization.
Maximize impact per dollar
Build the budget around risk reduction—not a shopping list.
A resilient physical security scope connects every proposed control to a documented vulnerability, explains the expected outcome and remains workable if the approved amount changes.
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Prioritize the vulnerabilities documented for this physical location.
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Match each risk to potentially allowable equipment and activities.
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Compare coverage, serviceability and lifecycle cost—not just unit price.
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Define commissioning tests and measurable outcomes before procurement.
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Preserve clear alternates so the scope can adapt to the approved budget.
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Keep inventory, training and closeout evidence organized from day one.
Nexus can support
- Technical options and budget assumptions
- AEL-aligned post-award technical scoping
- Procurement and submittal documentation
- Installation, commissioning and training
- Asset inventory and project closeout
Applicant and SAA retain
- Eligibility and mission documentation
- Location-specific vulnerability assessment
- Threat narrative and Investment Justification
- Applicant certifications and submission
- Final allowable-cost and procurement decisions
Important pre-award cost warning
FY2026 NSGP funds may not pay for the vulnerability/risk assessment or development of the Investment Justification itself. Nonprofit subrecipients also cannot claim pre-award costs.
Grant administration partner
Backed by AmpliFund grant administration
Nexus works in partnership with AmpliFund to help strengthen your submission and keep post-award compliance on track—supporting approval readiness and timely reimbursement processing alongside your technical scope.
Application and compliance support
Reimbursement tracking and documentation
Award management through closeout
AmpliFund grant administration
Submit your organization's information
Church security grant questions
Can a church apply directly to FEMA?
No. Eligible nonprofits submit through their State Administrative Agency. Illinois organizations should follow current IEMA-OHS instructions and its state-established deadline.
Is July 24, 2026 the church application deadline?
Not necessarily. July 24, 2026 is FEMA’s deadline for State Administrative Agencies. Illinois may set an earlier nonprofit subapplicant deadline, so confirm timing directly with IEMA-OHS.
Does FY2026 require matching funds?
FY2026 has no nonfederal cost-share requirement. All costs still remain subject to the NOFO, AEL alignment, state and FEMA review, procurement rules, award conditions and project-specific approval.
Can the grant reimburse the vulnerability assessment or Investment Justification preparation?
The FY2026 NOFO identifies initiatives funding vulnerability assessments or Investment Justification development as unallowable, and nonprofit subrecipients cannot claim pre-award costs.
Can a synagogue, mosque or other house of worship apply for NSGP?
Yes. NSGP is open to eligible nonprofit organizations at risk of terrorism or other extremist attack, including churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship, subject to IEMA-OHS and FEMA eligibility review.
How much is the FY2026 NSGP award?
FY2026 NSGP awards can reach up to $200,000 per eligible site, though funding is competitive and the final amount depends on IEMA-OHS and FEMA review of the submitted Investment Justification.
What can NSGP funds be used for?
Allowable investments generally include physical security enhancements such as access control, video surveillance, fencing/barriers, and security training, provided each is tied to a documented vulnerability and aligned with the FEMA Authorized Equipment List (AEL).
Make the first conversation count.
Start with your deadline, readiness and site-specific scope—not a generic equipment package.
Start a Grant Readiness Check