Today, the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center (OUA), the federal policy arm of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, urged Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to address the need for increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in his testimony before congressional committees today and tomorrow.

NSGP is administered by DHS and has been underfunded in recent years, while demand for funds in the face of rising antisemitism has skyrocketed. NSGP grants are awarded to synagogues, Jewish schools, and other at-risk nonprofit institutions to support critical security measures, including cameras, access controls, reinforced entryways, and contract security personnel.

NSGP received $274.5 million in fiscal year 2025 and $300 million in fiscal year 2026—a far cry from meeting the flood of applications. A coalition of Jewish and interfaith groups—including OU Advocacy—recently urged Congress to budget $1 billion for NSGP in 2027.

“We appreciate Secretary Mullin’s positive words about funding NSGP during his confirmation hearing, but now it’s time to deliver,” said Nathan Diament, Executive Director of OU Advocacy. “Thousands of Jewish synagogues, schools, and the communal institutions of other faith communities need help protecting their constituents from threats. And the Jewish community should not bear the cost of surging antisemitism alone. Government’s first job is the safety of its citizens, and we hope Sec. Mullin will be our partner in that mission.”