Bipartisan congressional group seeks to double nonprofit security funding to $1B in wake of increased threats

A bipartisan group of 150 House members is asking to double the amount of security money available for nonprofits in the wake of recent attacks that appear linked to the U.S. operation in Iran.

The lawmakers are asking the House Appropriations Committee to include $1 billion for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program in the Department of Homeland Security’s 2027 budget, Jewish Insider reported. The money can be used by religious institutions, including schools, and other nonprofits to enhance building security and train for possible attacks.

The request comes after three incidents in a 12-day period, including a Lebanese immigrant who rammed his truck into a Michigan synagogue before being shot by security. The truck had explosives in it and the man was armed, but security was prepared.

The FBI held a training at the large Detroit-area synagogue two weeks earlier as part of its efforts to help Jewish and other religious and educational institutions prepare for possible violence.

Besides physical security improvements and training, the grant “also works to enhance the engagement and cooperation between community groups, state and local homeland security organizations, and emergency management agencies to be better prepared for, prevent, and respond to acts of terrorism or other extremist attacks,” the letter states. “This preparation and investment is critical to our national security and part of DHS’ comprehensive measures to strengthen the safety of our communities.”

The letter, dated Friday, cites the rise in attacks at places of worship and includes a list of recent high-profile incidents at Jewish, Christian and Muslim institutions. Antisemitic incidents in particular rose nearly 900% over the last decade, according to the Anti-Defamation League, reaching their highest number in 2025.

The letter said applications for security funding increased by more than 2,300 in 2024 to 7,584, but only 43% were funded.

“These applicants requested $978 million in federal funding, while NSGP received $274.5 million in annual FY24 appropriations.”

DHS shutdown delays grants

Funding for 2025 is at the same level but has not been distributed because of delays at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, part of DHS that administers the grant. The department has been under a partial shutdown since Feb. 14 after Democrats refused to approve its funding, citing concerns over Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota and elsewhere.

The matter has become more urgent since the U.S. launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran on Feb. 28, raising the possibility of retaliatory attacks by sympathizers or “sleeper” agents within the U.S.

“Today’s threat environment provides a compelling public interest in preventing attacks that would disrupt the vital health, human, social, cultural, religious, and other humanitarian services provided by at-risk faith-based and nonprofit institutions,” the letter states. “Such threats terrorize the lives and well-being of millions of Americans who operate, utilize, live and work in their communities.”

The bipartisan support for the letter is a good sign, but the funding would still have to pass the Appropriations Committee and the full House before going to the Senate. Jewish groups in particular have been asking for the $1 billion in funding for years.

States including New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania provide similar security funding to religious schools and institutions. Minnesota, site of the Annunciation Church school shooting in August that killed two students, twice denied funding despite requests to Gov. Tim Walz from the state’s Catholic Conference.

Rep. Gabe Amo, D-Rhode Island, and a lead author of the letter, said the need for the money is obvious.

“There is strong, robust and meaningful support for this program, because people have seen the realities, and it’s a priority to ensure that all of our communities can worship, celebrate and exist with the safety that they deserve,” he told Jewish Insider.