State of New Hampshire to Receive Almost $8 Million for Homeland Security & Emergency Management; NH Non-Profits, Including Houses of Worship, to Receive More Than $600,000 in Grants to Increase Safety

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today announced with Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded New Hampshire nearly $4.3 million for the State Homeland Security Grant Program and more than $3.5 million for the Emergency Management Performance Grant Program. New Hampshire non-profits, including houses of worship, will also receive $635,085 under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, an increase from the $150,000 New Hampshire received last year. The full list of New Hampshire non-profits to receive funding this year is included below.

The significant increase in grants to help non-profits, including houses of worship, secure their facilities against potential foreign or domestic terrorist attacks comes after Senator Hassan successfully worked to quadruple funding for the program in the government funding bill signed into law last year.

“Houses of worship are under enormous pressure as they work to keep their congregants safe from both COVID-19 and also domestic and foreign terrorist threats,” Senator Hassan said. “Over the last year, I worked with colleagues from both parties to increase funding to help non-profits and houses of worship strengthen their physical security, and I’m glad that New Hampshire non-profits and houses of worship will receive significantly higher funding this year. It’s also critical that our state will receive millions in federal funding to support our homeland security and emergency preparedness efforts. I will continue to work with our Congressional delegation to secure more federal funding to help keep Granite Staters safe.”

“No one should ever feel unsafe while practicing their faith in a house of worship,” said Senator Shaheen. “That’s why I’m very pleased these federal grants have been awarded, which will help ensure nonprofits in New Hampshire, including houses of worship, are well-prepared to combat violence or any threats to their security. Providing New Hampshire with the resources and support it needs to protect the lives and well-being of Granite Staters will continue to be a top priority in the Senate.”

“Houses of worship are sacred spaces where all should feel safe, and it’s crucial that we take steps to protect these locations and keep our communities free from harm,” said Representative Kuster. “Tragically, in recent years, houses of worship and community centers have been targeted by those seeking to harm their neighbors. This funding will help New Hampshire non-profits and places of worship to increase safety measures and keep Granite Staters out of harm’s way. I’ll continue working to ensure that our state has the resources necessary to safeguard our communities.”

“Faith communities and nonprofits are playing a crucial role in supporting Granite Staters during this pandemic, but the sad reality of this time is that serious, credible threats targeting houses of worship remain,” said Representative Pappas. “No Granite Stater should have to fear for their safety while seeking care at a nonprofit or seeking peace in their house of worship. These federal funds will help organizations improve emergency management and mitigate security threats from foreign and domestic terrorism to ensure the safety of our families and neighbors.”

The following New Hampshire non-profits and houses of worship will receive federal grant funding to help combat foreign and domestic terrorist threats:

• Crossing Life Church and Community Center in Windham – $50,000 grant

• First Congregational Church of Hampton – $49,450 grant

• International Institute of New England, Manchester – $49,999 grant

• Jaffrey Bible Church – $39,525 grant

• Jewish Federation of New Hampshire – $50,000 grant

• Catholic Charities New Hampshire – $50,000 grant

• Second Start in Concord – $49,998 grant

• Temple Beth Abraham in Nashua – $45,000 grant

• Temple Beth Jacob in Concord – $31,635 grant

• Temple B'nai Israel in Laconia – $38,500 grant

• Temple Israel NH in Portsmouth – $48,993 grant

• The First Church in Nashua – $50,000 grant

• The Lee Church Congregational – $31,985 grant

• Wellspring Worship Center of Lebanon – $50,000 grant

Until last year, only houses of worship and non-profit organizations located in major metropolitan area were eligible for these grants. Senator Hassan has met with New Hampshire houses of worship to discuss the importance of this program, and has worked to successfully expand the program and help New Hampshire houses of worship access the grants. In January, President Trump signed into law bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Senator Hassan to codify in law that grant funding for houses of worship and nonprofit organizations must be available for small states like New Hampshire, not just major metropolitan areas. Following advocacy from Senator Hassan, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also extended the deadline for states to apply for the funding given short timeline that FEMA initially announced.

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