FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nathan Diament
202-513-6484
May 12, 2009

JEWISH NONPROFITS APPLAUD PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR PROPOSING $15 MILLION TO FUND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM
Protecting Hospitals, Health and Human Service Agencies, Places of Worship, Schools, Museums and More

Leading Jewish nonprofits yesterday commended President Obama for including $15 million to fund the Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in his fiscal year 2010 budget to Congress.

UJC/Jewish Federations of North America, the Orthodox Union, UJA-Federation New York, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and others joined together to support the grant initiative as a valuable program of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

At the behest of these community organizations and others, Congress established in 2005 the grant program in recognition that segments of the nonprofit sector are at risk of terrorist attacks including hospitals, health and human services agencies, humanitarian aid organizations, places of worship, schools, community centers, museums, and other institutions that attract large civilian populations.

Since its inception, the program has provided millions of dollars, through modest grants, to assist nonprofits considered by the Secretary of Homeland Security to be at risk and vulnerable to terrorist attack.

The grants are used by these community organizations to improve their physical security, including by the acquisition and installation of perimeter fencing and lighting; video surveillance and x-ray and metal detectors; reinforced or blast resistant doors, locks, and windows; gates and bollards, and related enhancements.

The program is now an integral part of the nation’s homeland security preparedness planning. It integrates nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts.

The President’s request will strengthen the bi-partisan effort underway in Congress to fund the NSGP in FY2010.

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