2016 Nonprofit Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program Application Period Now Open for Eligible Organizations

The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) encourage nonprofit organizations that are at high risk for terrorist attacks to apply for UASI grant funding made available for security enhancements.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides a total of $20 million nationally to qualified nonprofit organizations in the UASI designated cities. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations deemed to be at a high-risk for a potential terrorist attack from the Chicago Urban Area of Cook County and the City of Chicago may apply for funding up to $75,000.

“This grant program is vital to our efforts to strengthen critical infrastructure and protect our communities against the threat of terrorism,” said Ernest Brown, executive director of the DHSEM.

The FY 2016 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) allocates funds based on risk analysis, effectiveness and integration with broader state and local preparedness efforts. NSGP funds focus on target-hardening activities. These funds may be used to purchase or install security equipment on property owned or leased by the nonprofit organization, specifically to prevent against the risk of a terrorist attack.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), as the State Administrative Agency (SAA), will issue competitive grants to applicants that are approved by the Grants Program Directorate/FEMA. The grant period is 36 months.

The NSGP guidance, application information and application materials are available at http://www.state.il.us/iema or http://www.illinois.gov/iema/ITTF/Pages/UASI-Grant.aspx.

Completed applications from eligible nonprofit organizations must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. CDT Monday, April 4, 2016. Applications must be submitted electronically via email to ittf.grants@illinois.gov. The subject line of the email should be: FY 2016 NSGP IL_CHICAGO_Name of your Organization

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