Obama budget includes money for nonprofit security

Jewish groups are praising President Obama for proposing to fund a program providing security grants to non-profit institutions.

The president’s fiscal year 2010 budget includes $15 million for the Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program, a program which began in 2005 and has so far has distributed $65 million (with another $15 million appropriated last year and pending distribution) for security improvements at nonprofit groups, including synagogue and many other Jewish institutions. The press release from the United Jewish Communities/Jewish Federations of North America, the Orthodox Union, UJA-Federation New York, Agudath Israel and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York is after the jump: [[READMORE]]

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

WASHINGTON – Leading Jewish nonprofits today 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.