A bill introduced in the California Legislature on Wednesday highlights the existence of a state-funded security-focused program that many nonprofit organizations concerned about hate-motivated violence may not know about.

The California State Nonprofit Security Grants Program (overseen by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services) “provides funding support for [among other things] physical security enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk for violent attacks and hate crimes due to ideology, beliefs, or mission.”

The legislation that established the program in 2019 included an automatic “sunset” provision under which the program would terminate at the end of 2024.  In response to the violent attack on a Texas synagogue last week, and the increased concern it has triggered among potential targets of hate-motivated violence, California Assemblymember and Jewish Caucus Chair Jesse Gabriel introduced AB 1664, which would repeal the sunset provision and make the program permanent (subject to appropriations, of course).

For Fiscal Year 2021 (ending in September 2022), the Legislature appropriated $50,000,000 to the program, which awards grants of up to $200,000 each.

California nonprofits concerned about potential security vulnerabilities should consider applying for a grant to support enhancements.  Details and application materials are available here.