Colorado State Nonprofit Security Grant Program

Created by HB22-1077 (2022) and administered by Colorado's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM). Backstops Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose federal NSGP applications weren't funded — DHSEM invites unsuccessful federal applicants to apply for state funding. A vulnerability/risk assessment is required.

To apply for the CO State NSGP, your organization generally needs to be:

• ✓A registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• ✓Located and/or incorporated in Colorado
• ✓Previously applied for the federal NSGP and was not awarded
• ✓Able to document a risk of terrorism / violent attacks and hate crimes

• 501(c)(3) status from the IRS

  Federal tax-exempt status. Required for almost every security grant. If you don't have it yet, the IRS Form 1023 process can take several months.

• Threat, Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (TVRA)

  A documented assessment of your organization's specific risk profile. Often available at no cost through CISA Protective Security Advisors, your local police department, or community security organizations (such as the Secure Community Network); your FBI field office may also help. Availability varies by area.

• Investment Justification narrative

  The heart of the application — explains the threat, your mission, the proposed mitigation, and how you'll sustain it after the grant ends.

• Budget Detail Worksheet

  Itemized budget mapped to allowable cost categories. The grant administrator usually provides a template.

• Mission statement

  A clear statement of your organization's purpose and the community you serve.

• Target hardening (cameras, doors, fences, lighting)
• Construction or renovation for security

• •Per-org cap ($50K shown) is unverified — the 2025 round awarded ~$250K total across 11 nonprofits (roughly $25K each). The 'up to $200K per location' figure some sites cite is actually the FEDERAL NSGP cap, not Colorado's state cap. Confirm the current state cap with Colorado DHSEM before applying.
• •You must have applied for federal NSGP first and not been selected — this is a backstop, not a replacement.

Applications for the CO State NSGP are administered by Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM). Confirm the current deadline and submission details on the official program page before you apply.