On the heels of bomb threats at New York City synagogues Saturday night and a 1:1 FBI brief Sunday morning, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer announced that $400 million in new federal funds is now available to boost security and safety at nonprofits, community centers, synagogues, mosques, churches and more.
Schumer spoke about the threats Saturday night, talked with Rabbi Ben Spratt at Rodeph Sholom on the UWS Sunday morning, and detailed how he has boosted the fed program that aims to protect these sacred spaces and at-risk targets.
“Last night’s bomb threats targeting New York City synagogues created immense fear, but sadly, these threats are not a total shock given the rise in antisemitism that we have seen and the overall spike in threats to places of worship,” said US Sen. Charles Schumer on Sunday. “Amid these threats, especially those seen across the city and Long Island, we have just strengthened the federal program known as the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), so that we can boost security where it might be lacking.
“In the recent National Security Supplemental I just passed, I included an additional $400 million for this critical program because amid rising threats we need buttoned up security and amid the cascade of rising antisemitism, we need robust federal funds at the ready,” he added.
Schumer said he has built up the NSGP program with NYC and Long Island in mind and just passed a law (the national security supplemental) to add even more dollars in light of increased threats so many places of worship are facing.
The US Senate Majority Leader highlighted that the supplemental funding for the program also included additional operational funding for FEMA to administer the grants to improve assistance available to applicants, and the timely awarding and disbursing of grants, particularly helpful to NYC and LI applicants.
Schumer also said that the deadline to apply for the first round of these funds is May 21.
“Protecting our nonprofit community spaces, like our synagogues, mosques, churches and more has unfortunately demanded more help at the federal level as the threats have increased,” he said.
“I have continuously secured increases in funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, including $250 million for the program last year and $400 million that is public today,” he added. “These funds are to help lessen the unease across the city in the places where we worship, pray, and learn.”
Congressman Jerry Nadler said that “the threat of antisemitism is real and, unfortunately, is on the rise. Just in the last 24 hours we have seen abhorrent acts of antisemitism directed at synagogues in Manhattan.
“It’s more important than ever that Congress continues to provide ample resources to protect house of worship,” he said. “I am pleased that Congress recently approved an additional $400 million for Nonprofit Security Grant Program, bringing the total available funding to nearly $700 million.
“I encourage all eligible for this important program to apply, and I’ll continue to work with Sen. Schumer to ensure that every house of worship has the resources necessary to protect themselves against these rising threats,” he added.
“Hate and antisemitism have no place in New York and those responsible for such despicable actions must be held accountable. I am grateful to Majority Leader Schumer and our partners in Washington as we work together to expand state and federal resources to help protect houses of worship,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul, who recently secured new funding at the state level to help protect houses of worship, religious schools and other at-risk sites.
The New York State FY 2025 Budget includes $35 million for the Securing Communities Against Hate Grant, which provides grants to nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs, or missions.
Grants can fund interior or exterior security improvements and may also be used to cover costs associated with security training and enhance cybersecurity.
