Federal funding
FEMA sets the national program requirements and makes final funding determinations.
Program awareness for Missouri churches
Learn what the security grant is—and what it is not.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program may help qualifying churches fund risk-based security improvements. Grennan Systems & Design promotes awareness of the program, explains security options in plain language, and points churches to the official application resources.
Security expertise with clear roles. Grennan can help evaluate needs and provide security products and services, while each church remains responsible for its own grant application.
CompetitiveEligibility does not guarantee funding
Risk-basedThe request must match documented needs
Site-specificOne complete application per address
State-managedMissouri receives applications through WebGrants
The program
What is the Nonprofit Security Grant Program?
NSGP is a FEMA preparedness grant for eligible nonprofit facilities that can demonstrate a high risk of terrorist or other extremist attack. It supports physical security, cybersecurity, planning, training, and exercises that reduce documented vulnerabilities.
Missouri submission
Churches do not submit directly to FEMA. Missouri DPS/OHS receives and reviews subapplications through WebGrants.
Security—not general remodeling
Every requested item should connect to a specific threat, vulnerability, and security outcome.
Basic eligibility
Your church generally needs all of these.
1
Qualifying nonprofit status
The organization must fall within the applicable 501(c)(3) requirements. Churches may be automatically tax-exempt even when the IRS did not require a determination letter.
2
A physical Missouri location
The project must be tied to a facility the nonprofit occupies when it applies. A post office box is not a project location.
3
Documented threat and vulnerability
The application must show why the site faces risk and how the proposed project would reduce that risk.
4
A feasible, compliant project
The project must fit the annual rules, use eligible equipment or activities, and be capable of completion within the period of performance.
Possible investments
What can NSGP funding support?
Allowability depends on the annual NOFO, FEMA’s Authorized Equipment List, and the risk documented for the individual site. The examples below are common categories—not automatic approvals.
Video security
Security cameras, recording systems, related infrastructure, and eligible video analytics. FY 2026 did not allow license-plate-reader or facial-recognition software.
Access control
Electronic locking, credential systems, controlled entry, personnel identification, and related door hardware.
Facility hardening
Impact-resistant doors or gates, fixed security lighting, fencing, bollards, and other approved protective barriers.
Detection and notification
Intrusion detection, alarms, emergency warning, public notification, and eligible system-monitoring equipment.
Cybersecurity
Eligible authentication, encryption, malware protection, backup, continuity, and other approved protective technologies.
Planning, training, and exercises
Security plans, evacuation or shelter procedures, active-threat training, Stop the Bleed, first aid, and exercises tied to an identified risk.
Important: Grant-funded telecommunications and surveillance equipment must comply with federal covered-equipment restrictions. Equipment selection and contract language should be reviewed before purchase or installation.
From concern to subaward
The application and award path
This overview helps church leaders understand the general path. The church remains responsible for its application and should rely on the current Missouri and FEMA instructions.
1
Assess
Identify site-specific threats, vulnerabilities, existing capabilities, and gaps.
2
Scope
Select projects that directly reduce the documented vulnerabilities.
3
Write
Complete the current Investment Justification and assemble supporting documents.
4
Submit
File one WebGrants application for each physical site before Missouri’s deadline.
5
Review
Missouri reviews and prioritizes applications; FEMA makes final selections.
Educational application overview
Know what the official application may require.
This checklist is educational only. The exact forms and requirements can change from year to year, so applicants must use the current Missouri and FEMA instructions for the active funding cycle.
The scored narrative
Investment Justification
Missouri’s FY 2026 workshop emphasized that the IJ is the document submitted to FEMA and must stand on its own. It should clearly connect:
- The organization and facility
- Threat, vulnerability, and consequence
- Proposed security investments
- Measurable risk reduction
- Timeline, milestones, and budget
Missouri supporting documents
Site application checklist
- Current, fillable Investment Justification form
- Site-specific vulnerability/risk assessment
- Mission statement and relevant implementation practices
- Most recent audit—or recent financial statement when permitted
- IRS recognition of exemption when the organization is required to have it
- One complete WebGrants application for that site
Preventable problems
Common reasons applications fail administrative review
Missouri’s FY 2026 workshop identified several mistakes that can make an otherwise promising project ineligible.
×
Using an old IJ form
Use only the form released for the current funding cycle.
Use only the form released for the current funding cycle.
×
Flattening or changing the fillable file
Submit the IJ in the required editable format.
Submit the IJ in the required editable format.
×
Combining multiple sites
Each physical address needs its own assessment, IJ, and WebGrants application.
Each physical address needs its own assessment, IJ, and WebGrants application.
×
Skipping the vulnerability assessment
The assessment is required and must be unique to the site.
The assessment is required and must be unique to the site.
×
Requesting items that do not match the assessment
The project must directly address the documented gaps.
The project must directly address the documented gaps.
×
Choosing the wrong funding stream
A location submitted under the wrong NSGP stream can be ruled ineligible.
A location submitted under the wrong NSGP stream can be ruled ineligible.
Grennan’s role
Program awareness backed by real security experience.
Grennan helps churches learn about the NSGP, understand practical security options, and plan systems that fit their facility and priorities.
Promote awareness
Share general information about the NSGP and direct churches to the current Missouri and FEMA resources.
Explain security options
Discuss cameras, intrusion detection, access control, emergency notification, intercom, and related technologies in plain language.
Provide security solutions
Grennan can evaluate needs and provide design, pricing, sales, installation, and service for alarms, access control, video surveillance, intercom, mass notification, and related systems.
How Grennan can help: We can help churches understand available security options and provide professional system consultation, design, pricing, installation, and service. Grant applications remain the responsibility of the applying organization.
Questions church leaders ask
NSGP FAQ
Does every eligible church receive funding?
No. NSGP is competitive. Applications are reviewed, scored, prioritized, and selected within limited funding.
Can we apply for more than one building?
FY 2026 allowed up to three sites per funding stream, with up to $200,000 requested per site. Each site required a separate assessment, IJ, and WebGrants application.
Does FEMA review our full vulnerability assessment?
Missouri reviews the supporting application materials. Missouri’s FY 2026 workshop stated that the IJ is the document sent to FEMA, so the IJ must include the important facts needed to evaluate the project.
Can we buy equipment before an award?
Do not assume pre-award purchases will be reimbursed. FY 2026 did not allow applicants to claim pre-award costs. Follow the award and procurement rules before committing funds.
Is this webpage an official government resource?
No. It is an independent educational summary. The current FEMA NOFO, Preparedness Grants Manual, Missouri NOFO, workshop, and WebGrants instructions control.
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Bobby Roberts