Ohio Emergency Management Agency Provides Nonprofits With An Opportunity To Improve Security

On February 1, 2017, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency announced that nonprofit organizations around the state will have an opportunity to improve their security through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

The program comes after the passing of House Bill 384 of the 131st General Assembly, authorizing the Ohio EMA to provide up to $100,000 in grant funding to nonprofit organizations (corporations, associations, groups, institutions, societies, etc.) for security improvements that assist the organization in “preventing, preparing for, and responding to acts of terrorism”.

The improvements may include physical/cyber security, inspection and screening equipment, training that assist in the protection of critical infrastructure and key resources, and preparedness for acts of terrorism.

To qualify for the grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and be able to do the following:

1. Identify and substantiate prior threats or attacks by a terrorist organization, network, or cell against the nonprofit organization

2. Indicate the symbolic or strategic value of one or more sites that renders the site a possible target of terrorism

3. Discuss potential consequences to the organization if the site is damaged, destroyed, or disrupted by a terrorist

4. Describe how the grant will be used to integrate organizational preparedness with broader state and local preparedness efforts

5. Submit a vulnerability assessment conducted by experienced security, law enforcement, or military personnel and a description of how the grant award will be used to address the vulnerabilities identified in the assessment.

501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations are highly regulated and must operate exclusively for tax exempt purposes, none of its proceeds may benefit any private party, nor are they permitted to be an action organization.

Examples of 501(c)(3) organizations are churches/masque/synagogues, the American Red Cross, and the American Chemical Society—

supports scientific inquiry in all fields of chemistry and chemical engineering.

The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2017 and grants are expected to be awarded by April 19, 2017. The performance period is April 19, 2017 to June 30, 2018.

(Article by Derick Battle)