My drive to work takes me past the airport and each day I still get a little jolt from the “Threat Level Orange” sign that is constantly lit next to the highway. In the past 3 years that I have been driving this route the sign has been on. It is unnerving, but I suppose a necessary reminder that things are not always at a comfort level we would like. This week I am highlighting a government funding opportunity that addresses threats at the nonprofit level.

This week’s pick: The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is part of a bigger effort to strengthen preparedness and is aimed at “the security of nonprofit organizations that are deemed at high risk of a potential terrorist attack and are located within one of the specific UASI-eligible urban areas.” To see the 2007 list of candidate areas click here.

Funds are meant to support security enhancements in high-risk nonprofits and also to integrate and promote nonprofit emergency preparedness into the broader state and local preparedness efforts including coordination with the Citizen Corps Council.

Each eligible nonprofit organization may apply for up to a $100,000 grant award. The 2007 FAQ sheet on this grant can be accessed here and this is the link to grant application kit.