Nonprofit Grants for Critical Infrastructure and Security
BALTIMORE URBAN AREA WORK GROUP ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM NONPROFITS FOR TWO GRANT PROGRAMS
BALTIMORE (February 20, 2008) – Nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore region may now apply for grants to make their high-risk facilities more secure against terrorist attacks. The Baltimore Urban Area Work Group (UAWG) is accepting applications for both the Baltimore Region Critical Infrastructure Grant Program and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
The UAWG will award a total of $634,400 to fund enhancements that are over and above the baseline security provided in the organization’s operating budget. The DHS grant program will provide a total of $15 million to high-risk nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S.
Criteria for determining eligible applicants who are at high risk of terrorist attack include, but are not limited to:
- Identification and substantiation (e.g. police reports or insurance claims) of prior threats or attacks against the nonprofit organization or closely related organizations (within or outside the U.S.) by a terrorist organization, network, or cell
- Symbolic value of the site(s) as a highly recognized national or historical institution that renders the site a possible target of international terrorism
- Role of the applicant nonprofit organization in responding to or recovering from international terrorist attacks
- Findings from previously conducted risk assessments including threat or vulnerability
Both programs limit grants to no more than $75,000, and both programs require a 25 percent match in cash or activities such as special training in the operation of grant-funded improvements. Funds from one grant program may not be used as matching funds for the other grant program.
In addition, all projects must comply with Environmental and Historic Preservation laws. All grantees will be required to develop an environmental planning and historic preservation Statement of Work (SOW), which must be submitted to FEMA for certification prior to the initiation of projects.
Applications for both grant programs must be submitted electronically to the Baltimore Urban Area Work Group (UAWG) through the appropriate local UAWG law enforcement representative (see below). Deadline for submission is Friday, March 28. DHS funds will be awarded in late summer. UAWG grants will be made after DHS grants have been awarded.
Eligible enhancements include such things as closed circuit television systems for perimeters of community facilities; vehicle barriers, lighting and fencing for perimeter security; and personal identification systems to limit unauthorized access to facilities.
The UAWG is composed of emergency management officials from the Baltimore Metropolitan Council’s member jurisdictions, which include Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties, plus the City of Annapolis.
"Nonprofit groups often don't have the money for this type of security, so making these grants available is a huge help to many organizations," said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, the BMC Chair. "And if these grants can provide additional security to nonprofits, that protection will allow local law enforcement to redeploy the resources to less secure areas."
The grant application and guidelines are available online at www.fema.gov/government/grant/uasi/index.shtm#more. Questions may be directed to the appropriate local law enforcement representative.
UAWG Law Enforcement Representatives
| Jurisdiction | Law Enforcement Representative |
| Anne Arundel County | Lt. Eric Hodge ehodge@aacounty.org 410-222-8651 |
| Annapolis City | Sgt. Pamela Johnson 410-268-9000 |
| Baltimore City | Lt. Rodney Giacomelli 410-396-2028 |
| Baltimore County | Major Jeffrey Caslin jcaslin@baltimorecountymd.gov 410-887-5672 |
| Carroll County | Sgt. James Fisher 410-386-0613 |
| Harford County | Det. Kevin Taylor 410-6384492 |
| Howard County | Lt. Michael Price 410-313-3281 |
Links within this web site:
Urban Area Work Group
News and Press Releases
Contact Communications Officer
Links to other web sites:
Grant Application Documents
Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 December 2008 11:09