Amid Rising Hate, Faith & Civil Rights Groups Urge Swift Release of and Transparency Into Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funds

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs and the Sikh Coalition led a coalition of 13 faith-based and civil rights organizations, urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to swiftly release Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funding authorized in March 2025 but not yet distributed, and to provide legally required transparency into why certain organizations that applied did not receive funding.

The letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, signed by 13 faith-based and civil rights organizations representing Jewish, Sikh, Muslim, Latino, Asian American, and Black communities, underscores that NSGP funding is essential for the safety of the religious and cultural institutions of communities across the country.

In the letter, these groups emphasized that the delay leaves their communities vulnerable amid rising antisemitism, bigotry, xenophobia, and violence.

“This funding is urgently needed to ensure houses of worship, schools, and other eligible nonprofits are able to build the infrastructure necessary to protect themselves, and cannot be delayed any longer,” the organizations write in the letter. “Now that all states have submitted their requests, we urge you to approve this funding to as many communities as possible as quickly as possible.”

The letter also urges DHS to provide feedback, as required by law, to communities that applied for NSGP funding but were not selected. These applicants must be informed of the reason for rejection and how they can improve future submissions. This request is especially timely, given the department’s upcoming review of the next cycle of applicants.

The full list of the letter’s signatories includes: Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Sikh Coalition, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Avodah, Central Conference of American Rabbis, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), National Council of Jewish Women, Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), United Sikhs, and Union for Reform Judaism.

JCPA has previously called for DHS to issue revised guidance on application requirements to mitigate confusing and irrelevant provisions related to immigration enforcement and DEIA. These provisions create obstacles for institutions seeking essential security funding, forcing them to choose between their security and their core religious values.