At a time of increased frequency of violent antisemitic attacks across the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) only had enough funds to cover 23% of Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) grants in 2026. The Jewish community is grateful for Congress appropriating $300 million for NSGP, but the latest figures demonstrate how much more is needed.

 

"As the past three years have shown, we are experiencing a domestic anti-Jewish terror crisis in this country," said Eric D. Fingerhut, President and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America. "Our community has had to form its own security infrastructure, spending over $1 billion each year to maintain it and prevent these attacks from turning deadly. It is undeniable that we need the federal government's help and while we appreciate the recent increase in NSGP awards for faith-based institutions, the fact that only 23% of NSGP applications were approved this year shows that it's not enough. That's why we've been calling on Congress to pass the bipartisan Jewish American Safety Act and fund the NSGP at $1 billion."

 

Following the October 7 attacks on Israel, the threat landscape has expanded drastically, and with it, the urgent need for Jewish communities around the world to ensure the safety and security of their members. The growing financial burden on Jewish Americans is unsustainable and requires federal government assistance. The bipartisan Jewish American Security Act is crucial legislation that would provide much-needed relief both to the Jewish community and the chronically underfunded NSGP.

 

In the 25 years since the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, Jewish Federations have been at the forefront of building the Jewish community's security infrastructure, advocating for the creation of NSGP in 2004, co-creating the Secure Community Network that same year, and launching the $130 million LiveSecure campaign following the 2018 Tree of Life massacre ensure each of the 141 Federation communities has a professional security program.