$94 Million in Security Grants Provided to Protect Jewish Institutions as Antisemitic Threats Surge

More than 500 Jewish organizations across the United States will receive a combined $94 million in federal funding to bolster their security against acts of violence and terrorism. The move comes amid a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents and follows recent attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions.

The grants are part of the Department of Homeland Security’s National Security Supplemental program, administered by FEMA under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. A total of $94,416,838 will be distributed to 512 Jewish faith-based institutions, including synagogues, schools, community centers, and medical facilities. These funds are intended to finance physical security upgrades such as surveillance systems, access control measures, and emergency preparedness training.

This action follows a year of intensified concern among Jewish communities, with incidents like the flamethrower and Molotov cocktail attack on demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, and the killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. The ADL reported a record-breaking 9,354 antisemitic incidents in 2024, representing a 344% rise over the past five years.

The funding comes under the administration of President Donald Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, as part of a broader effort to address targeted threats and safeguard religious freedoms. While the grants specifically address Jewish institutions in this round, all faith-based organizations were eligible to apply, and future disbursements under the NSGP program are expected. The initiative was pushed forward by more than 40 Jewish advocacy groups and approved by Congress in response to the rise in threats linked to the Israel-Hamas war. Institutions receiving grants will need to implement and manage their own security improvements using these resources.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the Department of Homeland Security press release.

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