Federal security grants for nonprofits get clearer, broader eligibility rules

What it does

This bill amends the Homeland Security Act to expand what nonprofits can use federal security grants for. It explicitly allows grants to pay for onsite security personnel, clarifies that grant funds can cover the cost of applying for grants themselves (capped at 5% of the grant), and adds a new category allowing nonprofits to hire off-duty police officers for security.

Why we flagged it

The bill's sole function is to clarify and expand eligible uses of an existing federal grant program for nonprofit security. It is a straightforward amendment to existing law with no hidden mechanisms or narrow beneficiaries.

What the text implies

• The 5% cap on grant-application costs may inadvertently disadvantage very small nonprofits whose administrative overhead is proportionally higher, potentially creating a regressive effect within the nonprofit sector.
• Explicit authorization for off-duty police hiring may increase demand for police services and create new revenue streams for municipal police departments, though this is a secondary market effect rather than a civic cost.
• Clarification of 'onsite security personnel' may prompt nonprofits to shift from volunteer or part-time security models to paid staff, increasing operational costs and potentially creating dependency on federal funding.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

Nonprofits serving vulnerable populations (religious institutions, community centers, schools) gain clearer authority and expanded resources to hire security personnel, reducing barriers to physical safety. The 5% cap on grant-application costs prevents waste while enabling smaller organizations to access federal funding they might otherwise miss.

Who stands to gain

• nonprofits serving vulnerable populations (religious institutions, community centers, schools)
• off-duty police officers (employment opportunity)
• security personnel (employment opportunity)

Named in the bill

Department of Homeland Security, Nonprofit Security Grant Program, Homeland Security Act of 2002, Section 2009(c)(1)

Where it stands

1 cosponsor: 1 Democrats.

• Sep 30, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in Senate”
• Sep 30, 2026 — Referred to Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs · Congress.gov: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.