Guide to the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (2026)

Safety challenges for California nonprofit organizations

The California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program came on the back of the continued challenge of hate crimes against various communities. While anti-Black bias remains the most common, data showed alarming trends across multiple groups.

The 2024 Hate Crime in California Report highlighted:

• Reported hate crime events increased by 2.7%, rising from 1,970 in 2023 to 2,023 in 2024
• Reported hate crimes involving a religious bias rose by 3.0%
• Anti-Jewish bias events specifically jumped by 7.3%
• Hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation increased by 12.3%
• Anti-LBGTQ+ bias events grew by 13.9%
• Anti-transgender bias crimes rose by 12.3%

Additionally, a 2024 statewide survey on hate revealed that an estimated 3.1 million Californians, or 1 in 11, directly experienced a hate act, an increase of half a million people from the previous year.

In response to these trends, Governor Newsom and the state legislature have maintained significant funding for the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program, having previously allocated $76 million for the 2025 – 2026 grant cycle to help faith-based and other nonprofits combat rising hate crimes. Allocation amounts for the 2026 – 2027 cycle are still to be determined.

What is the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program?

The California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides funding for physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations at higher risk for violent attacks and hate crimes. 

Since its inception in 2015, the State of California has awarded over $228 million through the CSNSGP to over 1,271 community groups. Nonprofit organizations have utilized these funds to improve physical security to help keep communities safe and facilities secure.

Eligibility for California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program

The applicant had to have certain eligibility requirements to successfully apply for the 2025 – 2026 California Nonprofit Security Grant Program. These included:

• Be a California nonprofit organization that is described under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) and exempt from tax under Section 501 (a) of such code. Please note that the Internal Revenue Service does not require certain organizations, such as churches, mosques and synagogues, to receive recognition of exemption under Section 501 (c) (3) of the IRC if they meet the requirements.
• Haven’t submitted more than two applications for the current CSNSGP funding period.
• Haven’t exceeded the maximum requested funding of $250,000 per location for a total of $500,000.
• The funds requested from the CSNSGP must be utilized to improve the safety and security of the nonprofit.

The deadline for FY 2025 CSNSGP applications was Friday, December 12, 2025.

Organizations interested in the 2026 – 2027 cycle should monitor the CalOES website for announcements in the latter half of 2026 for a full status update on the program.

What do security grants for nonprofits in California cover?

As mentioned, funding from these security grants must be used to enhance safety and security, and the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program will only provide funding for projects aimed at achieving these goals.

It is important to note that the grant funds are intended to support existing financial resources and are not a long-term solution. Projects funded under this grant should be reasonably sustained after the end of the period of performance without the expectation of receiving future funding.

Below is a list of the two types of applications and their associated cost categories that have been historically covered by California’s security grants.

Planning costs

Funding from the CSNSGP can be used for security or emergency planning expenses, continuity of operations plan and other planning activities, such as the materials required to perform these activities.

It’s important to note that the planning activities must be related to improving the safety and security of the facility and its people. Examples of nonprofit and church security planning activities allowable under the California Nonprofit Security Grant Program include: 

• Development and enhancement of security plans and protocols
• Emergency contingency plans
• Evacuation and shelter-in-place plans

Equipment costs

Places of worship and nonprofit organizations can use funding from the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program to procure and install security equipment to prevent and protect against the risk of an attack. Below is a list of examples that the CSNSGP covers:

• Physical security enhancement equipment, including but not limited to reinforced doors and gates, high-intensity lighting and alarms
• Access control
• Inspection and screening systems
• Other security enhancements consistent with the purpose of the CSNSGP

Training costs

Funding from security grants for churches and nonprofits in California can be used for training-related costs. The training activities must address a specific threat and/​or vulnerability identified in the initial proposal. 

Examples of allowed training costs under the California Nonprofit Security Grant Program include:

• Attendance fees for training
• Training-related expenses, such as materials and supplies (please note that travel and personnel costs, such as overtime and backfill, are not covered.)

Construction or renovation costs

Construction or renovation activities are also covered under the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program. These activities should improve the facility’s security and are limited to $100,000. It is important to note that equipment installation is not considered construction or renovation and that all activities must comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Contracted security

Costs for contracting security personnel are covered by the California security grants for churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship and nonprofit organizations. However, the applicant must sustain this service in future years without funding from the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

Please note that funding for contracted security can be at most 50% of the amount requested by the applicant. Costs for training and equipment for contracted security personnel are not covered.

Management and administration (M&A) costs

For applicants who receive a sub-award through the California Nonprofit Security Grant Program, up to 5% of their funds can be put towards M&A activities. This could consist of hiring full-time or part-time staff, contractors and consultants.

Support Services (SS) applications

Applicants who receive a sub-award can use up to 5% of their funds towards the costs of providing support services to other nonprofit organizations for the following activities:

• Vulnerability assessments (VA): SS applicants can request funds to cover the cost of VA for nonprofits. This applies to nonprofit organizations that have never had a VA, need a new VA and/​or are unable to secure a VA on their own.
• Security training: Funding can cover training-related costs, such as attendance fees for training and related material or supply expenses. The training provided must address a specific threat and/​or vulnerability as identified in the proposal. Personnel and travel costs are not covered.
• Mass notification alert systems: The cost of communication systems that enable nonprofit organizations and authorities to send alerts and instructions to groups of people during emergencies or other critical events can be covered by these funds.
• Monitoring and response systems: Grant funding can be used to procure communication and safety equipment for use during emergencies or other critical events.
• Lifesaving emergency equipment: Funding can also be used to cover the cost of basic emergency kit supplies, safety equipment and/​or advanced medical life support.

How to improve security with CSNSGP funding

There are multiple ways to improve security with funds from the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program. As highlighted in the previous section, there are specific projects covered by the CSNSGP, including a range of physical security enhancements and services.

Below are some examples of the most effective ways to improve security at your California church, synagogue, mosque or nonprofit community organization using security grants.

1. Implement security cameras

For security personnel and those responsible for safety and security at a nonprofit organization, situational awareness is key to detecting, analyzing and responding to potential threats. Security cameras can help deliver this. 

Implementing an IP security camera system or enhancing an existing setup with additional cameras allows security personnel to observe activities and gain situational awareness across one or multiple sites. It is important to install and position different types of CCTV cameras in the right locations to provide the views and awareness your team needs.

If you invest in a video security solution powered by artificial intelligence (AI) video analytics, the system will automatically detect and alert you to threats. This removes the need for an operator to view live video throughout their shift, helping your team save time and money while improving productivity.

Security cameras can also integrate with wider nonprofit and religious facility security systems, including access control and alarm monitoring. The synergy created by an integrated solution enables nonprofits and their security teams to improve situational awareness and productivity while expediting threat detection and responses.

2. Install access control systems

Access control systems are another way to improve security via the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program. This solution enables nonprofit organizations to manage who can enter and access their facility and spaces.

By installing an access control system with modern capabilities like mobile credentials, security teams can secure their site from unauthorized individuals. Access control readers should be placed at key entry and exit points to deter intruders in restricted or private areas within the facility, such as the security office or stock room, and in external spaces like parking lots and storage sites.

3. Strengthen door locks

Facility doors should feature effective locking mechanisms to help secure your premises and keep intruders out. Investing in reinforced commercial door locks or replacing outdated hardware with an advanced locking system that can withstand tampering and excessive force can help nonprofit organizations keep external threats away and protect the safety of those inside.

4. Deploy security personnel

Hiring security guards on a permanent or temporary basis is another way to improve safety and security with funds from security grants for churches and nonprofits in California. 

Security personnel can help improve security operations by deterring potential threats, such as intruders, thieves and vandals, responding to incidents and performing other security tasks, such as weapons screening and patrolling the site. It’s important your nonprofit organization hires qualified personnel to perform the required security tasks. Seek registered security guards recognized by the State of California and ensure they undertake a criminal background check.

5. Leverage a mass notification system

Installing a mass notification system can provide the response capabilities needed to help secure facilities and safeguard people. This solution instantly sends alerts to large groups of people across multiple channels, notifying them of an emergency. This helps expedite emergency response, enhance situational awareness and improve collaboration between different teams.

Conclusion

Hate crime is a dangerous threat to the safety and security of nonprofit organizations and their people. Combatting this issue and mitigating the risks associated with it can help places of worship and community organizations secure their premises and safeguard members, visitors and employees.

With this security grant, eligible nonprofit organizations could apply for funding during open periods to support their initiatives to improve safety and security across their facilities.

Investing in physical security enhancements that are covered by the grant, such as security cameras, access control systems and reinforcing doors and gates, can help to deliver greater safety for nonprofit organizations. By alleviating some of the financial burdens of procuring security technology and employing security services, nonprofits have an opportunity to help secure their facilities and protect their communities. Again, organizations interested in the 2026 – 2027 cycle should monitor the CalOES website for announcements in the latter half of 2026 to get a full status update on the program.