GRANTS AND FUNDING.

Grant programs available for school physical security enhancements (updated Jan 2025):

Federal Grants

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

Description: Funding for physical security enhancements for nonprofit organizations, including schools, at high risk of terrorist attacks.

Funding: $454.5 million available for FY 2024, including $210 million from the National Security Supplemental.

Eligibility: Nonprofits apply through State Administrative Agencies (SAAs). (https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/nonprofit-security)

School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP):

Description: Funds for evidence-based school safety measures like surveillance systems, access control, and emergency notification technologies.

Funding: $73 million for FY24, with individual grants up to $500,000.

Eligibility: Public schools, local law enforcement, and other public agencies can apply directly.(https://info.verkada.com/grants-and-funding/school-safety-grants/)

STOP School Violence Act Grants:

Description: Supports comprehensive school safety strategies, including physical security measures.

Funding: Nearly $1 billion authorized over ten years since 2018, with allocations for training, technology, and physical security.

Eligibility: Schools, law enforcement, and other public agencies.(https://www.nc2s.org/ta-services/stop-grants/)

(https://www.securityindustry.org/2018/04/03/the-details-on-new-federal-school-security-grants/)

(https://www.securityindustry.org/2018/07/16/how-to-apply-for-new-school-security-grants-before-the-july-30-deadline/)

Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)

Description: Provides funding for preventing, protecting against, and responding to terrorism and other threats, including school security.

Funding: Varies annually, with state-specific allocations.

Eligibility: State Administrative Agencies apply on behalf of local entities, including schools.(https://www.schoolsafety.gov/grant/homeland-security-grant-program)

Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Grant Program

Description: Aimed at improving K-12 school security with tools for recognizing, responding to, and preventing violence.

Funding: Part of the broader STOP School Violence Act funding.

Eligibility: States, local governments, tribal governments, public agencies, and nonprofits including schools.(https://navigate360.com/school-safety-grants/)

State-Specific Grants

Indiana Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG):

Description: Funds for school resource officers, site vulnerability assessments, and physical security equipment.

Funding: Over $187 million awarded since 2014.

Eligibility: School corporations, accredited non-public schools, charter schools, and coalitions of school corporations in Indiana.(https://www.in.gov/dhs/grants-management/secured-school-safety-grant-program/)

Pennsylvania School Safety and Security Grant:

Description: Supports emergency preparedness, security technology, ID systems, and security staffing.

Funding: $32.2 million in 2024.

Eligibility: School districts, charter schools, and certain private schools in Pennsylvania.(https://www.avigilon.com/blog/school-security-grants)

Virginia School Security Equipment Grants:

Description: For purchasing security equipment to improve school safety.

Funding: $12 million for the 2024-2025 school year.

Eligibility: Public school divisions in Virginia.(https://www.doe.virginia.gov/programs-services/school-operations-support-services/facility-construction-maintenance/security-equipment-grants)

Texas School Safety Standards Formula Grant

Description: Assists in meeting new school safety standards, including physical security costs like metal detectors and cameras.

Funding: Allocations for 2022-2025 cycles.

Eligibility: Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in Texas.(https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/2022-2025-school-safety-standards-formula-grant)[](https://tea.texas.gov/finance-and-grants/grants/grants-administration/school-safety-related-grant-programs)

Ohio K-12 School Safety Grant Program:

Description: Focuses on physical security enhancements like cameras, door locks, and visitor badging.

Funding: $68 million in additional grants for 2023.

Eligibility: Ohio's public and private schools.(https://www.schoolsafety.gov/grants-finder-tool)

Iowa School Safety Improvement Fund:

Description: Helps schools perform safety measure capital improvements identified through vulnerability assessments.

Funding: Up to $50,000 per school building for safety capital improvements.

Eligibility: Schools in Iowa after completing vulnerability assessments.(https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/grants/school-safety-improvement-fund)

Wisconsin Office of School Safety Grants:

Description: For safety enhancements, threat assessment training, and mental health training.

Funding: Nearly $100 million distributed for various safety initiatives.

Eligibility: Public, private, charter, and tribal schools in Wisconsin.(https://www.doj.state.wi.us/news-releases/attorney-general-kaul-announces-office-school-safety-funding-secured-2023-2024-school)

Connecticut School Security Grant Program (SSGP):

Description: Funding for security infrastructure improvements like doors, windows, access control, and camera systems.

Funding: Varies by year.

Eligibility: Schools in Connecticut.(https://portal.ct.gov/demhs/grants/school-security-competitive-grant-program-overview)

Colorado School Security Disbursement (SSD):

Description: Provides funding for security improvements in public schools.

Funding: $5.8 million for Colorado public schools.

Eligibility: Colorado public schools.(https://oss.colorado.gov/grants-overview)

General Considerations

- Many of these grants require schools to conduct vulnerability or safety assessments before applying.

- Matching funds or local cash matches are often required for some programs.

- Application deadlines, eligibility, and funding amounts can change annually or with new legislative cycles, so schools should frequently check grant program websites for the latest information.

This list aims to be exhaustive based on the information provided, but new grants or changes to existing ones might occur. Schools should consult state education departments, federal grant databases like Grants.gov, or work with security consultants to ensure they're aware of all available funding opportunities.