Maine Nonprofit Security Grant Program

Administered by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) within the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management. Established by LD 2107 (Public Law 2025, Chapter 728, signed April 16, 2026) with a one-time $200,000 General Fund appropriation; the FY2027 NOFO made $190,000 available. Maine 501(c)(3) nonprofits that can show a high risk of a terrorist or extremist attack, hate crime or targeted violence may request up to $25,000 per site for up to three sites, with a separate application and vulnerability assessment for each site. Operates separately from the federal NSGP that MEMA also administers — you may apply to both, but not fund the same cost twice.

To apply for the ME-NSGP, your organization generally needs to be:

• ✓A registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• ✓Located and/or incorporated in Maine
• ✓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.

• IRS determination letter

  Your IRS 501(c)(3) confirmation letter. Usually attached to grant applications as proof of status.

• 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.

• Security planning
• Target hardening (access control, cameras, intrusion detection, lighting, bollards, blast film, doors and locks, fencing and gates)
• Contract security personnel (no supplanting)

• •Each site needs its own application and its own vulnerability assessment; $25,000 per site, up to three sites, $75,000 per organization maximum. No match; reimbursement basis.
• •Organizations that have never received federal NSGP funding automatically get 10 of the 65 scoring points.
• •Applications go by email to HSGrants.Maine@Maine.Gov with the subject line "FY26-27 ME NSGP, (organization name)" (the NOFO also references an online application link on MEMA's page — confirm the method with HSGrants.Maine@Maine.Gov).
• •Attach your IRS determination letter; churches, mosques and synagogues that are automatically tax-exempt do not need one. A SAM.gov UEI is not needed to apply, but MEMA cannot issue an award without one — start the free registration at sam.gov now (about 7–10 business days).
• •Tax status: the enabling law (LD 2107, 37-B MRSA §748) is written for 501(c)(3) organizations, but the FY2027 NOFO also admits nonprofits 'otherwise recognized by the State as nonprofit' that serve the public interest. If you are a Maine nonprofit without 501(c)(3) status, confirm eligibility with HSGrants.Maine@Maine.Gov before applying.
• •Unallowable: weapons and ammunition, general operating costs, routine maintenance, non-security construction, ongoing salaries, entertainment, lobbying.
• •Separate from the federal NSGP that MEMA administers (FY2026 federal window closed July 16, 2026); you may apply to both but cannot double-fund the same cost.

Applications for the ME-NSGP are administered by Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management. Confirm the current deadline and submission details on the official program page before you apply.