FY2027 Nonprofit Faith-based Security Grant Program

A series of seminars, workshops and tabletop exercises offered by the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) that is open to all faiths and divided into four (4) separate sessions:

• Session I: Hazards and Threats is a virtual session that includes presentations on emergency preparedness and planning activities; hazard and risk assessments; crisis communications; continuity and recovery planning; mitigating hate crimes and threats of violence; and reporting to and with law enforcement.
• Session II: Physical Security Best Practices is a virtual session that provides information on facility physical security assessments; how to effectively use barriers to provide access and monitor areas from the parking lot to the altar; and how to balance new members while maintaining vigilance.
• Session III: Cybersecurity Threats and Best practices is a virtual session that provides information on cybersecurity resources; cyber hygiene; and how to respond, report and recover from cybersecurity incidents.
• Session IV: CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events) Training (6 hours) is an in-person session that provides training on how to respond to an active assailant; general survival tips for major types of emergencies; and includes a facilitated discussion or tabletop exercise on responding to an active shooter incident.

A presentation and discussion offered, upon request, by the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) that provides training on how to prepare for all-hazard types of emergencies; how to mitigate, respond, recover and build resilience to emergencies and incidents; how to improve physical and cyber security; and how to address the rise of hate crimes across all faiths.

A systematic review of the current vulnerabilities and threats facing a Nonprofit Faith-based organization that is designed to identify the safety and security risks and needs of the Faith-based organization and its facilities. Nonprofit
Faith-based organizations are advised to use the CISA Houses of Worship Security Self Assessment if a site security risk assessment has not been undertaken or completed within the last two (2) years.

A locally-based public safety program that improves the preparedness and response capabilities of the Police Department through the integration of a network of security cameras and video camera feeds to aid in solving crimes and
investigating incidents in the community. The Connect Anne Arundel program: 

• requires the purchase, installation and registration of a fususCORE device with existing or proposed security cameras, recorders, and other equipment used for site security monitoring and surveillance;
• ensures protection of privacy by limiting access to video camera feeds to those that aid in the investigation of crimes, criminal activity and other incidents occurring within the community; and
• requires a legal use and data sharing agreement with the County to share video camera feed.

Connect Anne Arundel Website

Hiring new security personnel or increasing existing security personnel services including contracted security guards at Faith-based facilities located within Anne Arundel County to address threats of violence and risks to hate crimes.

Installation of security cameras at Faith-based facilities located within Anne Arundel County to address threats of violence and risks to hate crimes.

Installing fixed area lighting, impact resistant doors, barriers, card readers, and other access control systems at Faith-based facilities located within Anne Arundel County to address threats of violence and risks to hate crimes.

The organization must be a nonprofit Faith-based organization that meets the 501(c)(3) requirements.

The Faith-based organization or facility must be at risk or subject to one or more of the following threats:

• hate crimes;
• threats of violence;
• known threats to their facility;
• known threats to their Faith group nationally.

The Faith-based organization must be currently registered and in Good Standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Applicants can verify their status with SDAT by visiting: egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/Entity Search.

To apply for the grant program, applicants must provide the following:

1. A copy of the 501(c)(3) certificate or must demonstrate their capability of meeting the 501(c)(3) requirements;
2. the legal name of the nonprofit Faith-based organization as registered with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) including the Maryland SDAT Department ID number;
3. the facility location(s) within Anne Arundel County;
4. the nonprofit Faith-based organization's website;
5. the current principal official of the nonprofit Faith-based organization and the primary point of contact assigned to the grant project; and
6. A completed grant application including the proposed budget and project description identifying the key objectives, how funds will be used, and what you expect to accomplish with the grant funds.

In the grant application, applicants must also describe the conditions and circumstances surrounding the following as they are part of the grant evaluation:

1. how the Faith-based organization or facility is at a heightened risk or subject to one or more of the following threats:
   1. hate crimes;
   2. threats of violence;
   3. known threats to their facility; and
   4. known threats to their Faith group nationally.
2. how the grant funds will be used to increase safety and security measures at the Faith-based organization or facilities within Anne Arundel County;
3. whether the grant award supports:
   1. a new activity;
   2. expansion of an existing activity; or
   3. a combination of both.
4. the timeline for ensuring the project activities will be completed within the period of performance;
5. the type of population served by the Faith-based organization and their facilities including individuals or groups in the following categories:
   1. members who are of a certain race or ethnicity group;
   2. members who are:
      1. at or below 150% of the Federal poverty level;
      2. unemployed; or
      3. experiencing homelessness or having a high housing cost burden.
   3. households that:
      1. are single-parent households;
      2. use English as a second language;
      3. are aged 65 years and older; or 17 years and younger;
      4. are civilians or seniors with disabilities;
      5. are without access to a vehicle or public transportation; and
      6. are residing in crowded or overcrowding conditions or in group living quarters.
6. how the safety and security measures and infrastructure improvements will benefit the community.

Applications identified with minor errors will be provided with an opportunity to resolve the minor errors within two (2) business days of being notified. If the minor errors are not resolved within two (2) business days, the application will not be considered for the program. All other applications that are incomplete, do not meet the legal requirements, or are submitted after the deadline will not be considered for the program.

Funds may not be used for any of the following:

• Expenses incurred before the date of the signed grant agreement.
• Subscription services for existing fususCORE devices.
• Monitoring services for existing security cameras.
• Supplies and facility upgrades that do not pertain to a new activity or expansion of an existing activity involving safety and security services and infrastructure improvements.

Applications for the FY2027 Nonprofit Faith-based Security Grant Program must be submitted no later than Monday, November 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. 

Applications will be reviewed by a group of stakeholders with knowledge, experience and training in safety and security vulnerability assessments, screening, and plan development for new security camera installations; fususCORE device installation, operation, and sharing of security camera data feed; project application and grant management. The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will serve as the lead agency to coordinate and review project applications, determine applicant eligibility, and allocate grant funds from the program to support project applications. Stakeholders will review applications based on the criteria outlined in this document and submit recommendations to OEM.  All decisions are at the sole discretion of the County.

Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

1. the overall project scope;
2. the current risks and threats of violence at the Faith-based organization and their facilities;
3. the use of grant funds in reducing the risks and threats facing the Faith-based organization and their facilities;
4. the populations served by the Faith-based organization and their facilities;
5. how the project will further protect individuals who use the Faith-based organization's services or facilities and
6. the overall benefit to the community; and
7. the timeline for ensuring the scope of the project will be completed within the period of performance.
    

Grant funds will be awarded based on the proposed project costs up to a maximum of $10,000 per project.  For selected projects, OEM will notify applicants of project selection, funding allocation, and the performance period of the grant award. Anne Arundel County will provide a grant agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the grant award. The grant agreement must be fully executed between the applicant and Anne Arundel County, Maryland before any project costs may be incurred. All project costs must be consistent with the approved application and grant funding amount.

Installation of security cameras are required to participate in Connect Anne Arundel and must purchase, install and register a fususCORE Device that meets the requirements of Connect Anne Arundel. Applicants must also authorize video camera sharing capability through a legal agreement with Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
 

The period of performance will be for a one year period from the signing of the grant agreement with Anne Arundel County.

Funds allocated from the grant program will be issued on a reimbursable basis. The applicant is required to submit copies of invoices and proof of payment for all approved expenses. In addition, a final report in the form of a cover letter must be submitted to the Office of Emergency Management summarizing:

• what was accomplished with the grant funds;
• the overall impact of the project on the Faith-based organization's services or facilities; and
• how the project strengthened public safety within the community.
   

The County reserves the right to accept or deny any or all applications if the County determines it is in the best interest of the County to do so.

• The County reserves the right to issue addenda and/or amendments subsequent to the posting of the Grant program.
• Any costs incurred in the preparation of the project application is the sole responsibility of the applicant.
• The County may conduct pre-award on-site visits or request additional information to determine if the nonprofit Faith-based organization and facilities are appropriate for the Grant program.
• If any conflicts exist between the Grant program and any applicable federal, State, or County law or regulation, or any ambiguity related thereto, then the provision of the prevailing law or regulation shall be used.
• The County reserves the right to suspend or terminate any award that has not initiated or completed the project activities within the period of performance.
• The County may extend the period of performance by up to six (6) months to allow sufficient time for the applicant to complete the approved scope of work and project activities.