School Safety Grants Application Tips F

Securing Funding for School Safety: Key Grants & Application Tips

In a world where schools are the ever-increasing target of wanton violence, proactive measures are the surest way to secure school environments for students and staff. Grants serve as an essential solution for schools with limited budgets, providing necessary funding for security improvements like video surveillance systems, access control, cellular repeaters, and environmental sensors.

This month, our Eastern DataComm team is taking you behind the scenes of our 501(c)6 non-profit partner ZeroNow’s recent presentation with Elisa Mula and EMD regarding grant funding. This summary will help school administrators and leaders navigate the process of securing funding to ensure your application stands out and increases your chances of success. ZeroNow’s recent webinar was full of helpful insights and we are excited to pass that information on to our Eastern DataComm blog readers.

As a ZeroNow Partner, we’re committed to helping you implement the solutions that help you stay connected and protected, so that ZeroNow’s mission, taking violence on campuses across the country down to zero, can continue to become a reality.

With these tips, increase your chances of successfully securing grant funding to help enhance the technology systems on your campus that safeguard your community.

Let’s dive in!

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Understanding Key Grants for School Safety

While a vast array of grants are available to applicant schools and districts, ZeroNow explored a select few during this education experience. In this article, we’re focusing on those they reviewed as part of this webinar. If you’re interested in learning about other potential grant and funding opportunities, you can take a look at our previous blogs on the topic here and here.

FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

The NSGP is a federally funded grant providing monies to be used for nonprofit organizations, including private and charter schools, to enhance security and protect against terrorist threats or violence.

What Are the NSGP Eligibility Requirements?

To be eligible for this grant, schools must have a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and demonstrate that they have what is referred to as At-Risk Designation. This means their school is at an increased risk for terrorism or violence. They may be located in a high crime area, have visible symbols that clearly denote religious affiliation, or have large student bodies, for example.

What Is the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding Amount?

You can apply for up to $150,000 for each application through the NSGP.

You can apply for up to three physical addresses.

What Types of Security Technology Projects Are Eligible for Funding Through the NSGP?

A variety of projects (from physical security to cyber security enhancements, emergency planning and risk and resilience assessments, and even security emergency planning) can be funded through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Some of the common technology solutions the NSGP covers include:

What Are the Key Application Dates for the NSGP?

The NSGP has a fairly routine schedule:

  • Notice of funding: late winter/early spring
  • Deadline: Late spring or early summer
  • Awards are typically announced between late August and November

What Documentation Do We Need to Prepare for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program?

The necessary documentation for the NSGP is two-fold.

The Threat, Vulnerability, and Risk assessment includes:

  • Identifying threats: Determine specific threats like terrorism and vandalism that might impact the organization. Here, you can submit information on specific incidents, your surrounding area, and your mission statement.
  • Assess vulnerabilities: Evaluate your current safety measures to note gaps that can be exploited.
  • Evaluate risks: Explore the possible likelihood of threats exploiting your vulnerabilities.
  • Consequences: Describe the possible impact on your assets and community functions if these threats are successful.
  • Prioritize your security improvements: Note where you need to mitigate risks effectively right now.

Note: FEMA considers religious affiliation, the presence of children, proximity to diverse religious areas, history of hate crimes or threats, visibility from the road, and visibility of identifiable religious symbols in their threat assessment evaluations.

The Investment Justification (Scored Section) includes:

  • Articulating security needs: Specific security threats and vulnerabilities you face.
  • Details of your proposed project: Outlined security enhancements.
  • Aligning with grant priorities: You’ll need to make sure that your goals match the grant funding priorities. Here, that means you demonstrate the organization is at risk of potential terrorist attack.
  • Demonstrate impact: You need to give evidence that the project(s) will actually mitigate some specific risk and protect the organization and community.
  • Provide cost estimates: Budget estimates will justify your funding request and give concrete numbers that make real sense to evaluators.
  • Show readiness: You also need to demonstrate that you as an organization can implement and continue the security improvements for which you’re requesting funding.

When it comes to the NSGP, Eastern DataComm, in partnership with the thought leaders in the ZeroNow network, can help you navigate your application’s threat assessment and investment justification components.

STOP School Violence Program

The STOP School Violence Program grant focuses on preventing school violence by funding early intervention programs, threat assessment teams, and technology solutions that detect potential threats.

What Are the STOP School Violence Program Eligibility Requirements?

The grant is open to school districts, local governments, and nonprofit organizations involved in violence prevention.

How Much Funding Is Available Through the STOP School Violence Program?

Schools can apply for up to $2 million in grant funding through the STOP School Violence Program.

What Types of Projects Does the STOP School Violence Program Deem Eligible for Funding?

  • Technology solutions (e.g., threat detection systems, reporting tools)
  • Threat assessment teams and early intervention programs
  • Training for staff and law enforcement on handling school violence
  • Mental health support for students

What Are the Key Application Dates for the STOP School Violence Program?

  • Applications open in spring.
  • Application deadline: early summer, typically June
  • Awards announced in the fall around September 30th

Necessary Documentation for the STOP School Violence Program:

Applicants must register in Grants.Gov and then complete the full application in JustGrants.usdoj.gov

The application’s key pieces include the proposal abstract summarizing the issue you desire to address with your project. (This is no longer than 400 words.)

The proposal narrative explains your project strategy activities and major deliverables along with your ability to address the issue.

The web-based budget form details how you’ll allocate the funds by task date and assign them to the responsible party.

The application very much mirrors the COPS School Violence Prevention Program grant.

COPS School Violence Prevention Program Grant

The COPS School Violence Prevention Program helps schools improve security at schools and on school grounds in the recipient’s jurisdiction through evidence-based school safety programs.

What Funding Amount Is Available for the SVPP Grant?:

The COPS School Violence Prevention Program offers Up to $500,000 per school district. With a 25% match.

What Is the Application Timeline for the COPS School Violence Prevention Program?

The deadline for COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) applications is in June. Awards are typically announced between October and November.

What Projects Are Eligible for Funding under the COPS SVPP Grant?

The COPS School Violence Prevention Program offers funding for a variety of projects including.

  • Entry locking mechanisms/access control doors
  • Peepholes for classroom doors
  • School site alarms and motion detectors
  • Communication technology
  • Intercom or public address systems
  • Panic and immediate alarm notifications
  • Video surveillance
  • Materials expended or consumed during a project including training
  • Consultant expenses and contracts include goods or services that directly contribute to the implementation or enhancement of the SVPP project

What Is the Application Process Like for the COPS School Violence Prevention Program Grant?

To apply, a school must register with Sam.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier number. They must also register with Grants.gov.

The organization must complete the Authorized Organization Representative profiles on Grants.gov creating a username and password. When doing so, make sure you have the Unique Entity Identifier for this step. The Authorized Organization Representative email registered with Sam.gov must be used here.

From there you can assign both standard and expanded roles to your team.

Complete and submit the Standard Form 424 and the SFLLL Lobbying Certification Form (Note: You’ll need to do this even if you have no lobbying to report). Only expanded rolls on Grants.gov can submit your registration.

After submitting your form you can expect to receive several notifications from Grants.Gov within 48 hours.

Then you’ll need to register with JustGrants. Within 24 hours of receiving your confirmation email from Grants.Gov, the designee who submitted your registration, SF 424, and LLL forms will be emailed details on how to proceed with the remaining pieces of the application. Again the Authorized Organization Representative must be used for this step.

To make this process smoother you’ll want to include:

  • Detailed information including your current risk assessments, emergency plans, training, drills, partnerships with local agencies, etc.
  • Funding request and integration: Overview of funding needs emphasize integration with proven safety strategies and programs.
  • Implementation plans: Detail effective project management gameplan to include tech procurement and your timelines for procurement and implementation.
  • Sustainability plan: How will you maintain these efforts for security and ensure additional resources after the award?
  • Describe your utilization strategy for the proposed technology.
  • Quotes for security equipment: Provide vendor quotes for any physical security solutions, like surveillance cameras or access control systems.
  • Letters of support: Letters from law enforcement, stakeholders, or community organizations can provide valuable support.
  • Hiring plan (if applicable): If applying for funding for personnel, include a hiring plan for security officers or other staff.
  • Details from your safety team: Meeting notes and related documentation.
  • Safety audit documentation.
  • Report all incidents to local police so that you have records to provide as needed.
  • Records of established practice for safety drills.

A Walkthrough: 5 Simple Steps to Applying for School Safety

Steps

Step 1: Identify the Right Grant

While these are three grants schools commonly apply for, they’re not the only ones out there. One of the keys to a successful grant application is applying for the right grant. Review the eligibility requirements for each and be sure you match them to your school’s needs, such as technology or physical security upgrades.

Step 2: Gather the Required Documents

One of the best tips we can offer is applying on time, and early if at all possible. Starting early has the added benefit of helping you to avoid last-minute errors or forgotten forms.


To begin, make a list of all the documents necessary for each grant, using the grant provider’s information to guide you as you check things off your list.

You’ll also want to be prepared with vendor quotes, your risk assessment, and your project and budget narratives before you dive into your application itself. This will ensure that when you go to apply, you can simply focus on completing the application itself.

Step 3: Complete the Application

This step is fairly straightforward. Complete the application, following all instructions as they appear on the grant application itself. While resources like our blogs are meant to be helpful, the only information that matters is what you are provided by the funding providers themselves.

Complete the application in a timely manner, well before the deadlines. Complete them fully, and wherever possible, provide any “optional” resources. This shows that you are truly dedicated to taking full advantage of the opportunities afforded to your organization.

Also, just as you must select the right opportunity for your organization, it’s important to tailor your application to the opportunity itself as well. Cookie-cutter responses will not fare well here. Make sure the project narrative aligns with the specific goals of the grant and what you hope to achieve if your project is funded.

Step 4: Submit and Track Your Application

Once you’ve submitted your completed application, be sure to track the application status and be prepared to offer any additional information if the grant institution requests it.

Now, we wait.

Step 5: If Not Awarded, Reapply:

While we hope your projects are fully funded, in the event this is not the case: reapply! You now have more experience under your organization’s belt and you can learn from that. You also understand how to navigate the process and can do so more efficiently in the future.

If you didn’t garner the funding you desired this time around, perhaps you need to:

  • Better clarify your need for funding.
  • Demonstrate your sincere financial need.
  • Focus more on the long-term impact of the proposed improvements.
  • Collaborate with local stakeholders and community leaders more effectively.
  • Get support as you navigate through the funding process.

Watch the full webinar in the ZeroNow Community, as part of their free resources. Click here to view. 

How Eastern DataComm and ZeroNow Can Help

As you may know, Eastern DataComm is a ZeroNow Partner. ZeroNow is an organization that drives ideas, innovation, and investment in school safety. It focuses on increasing the pace and scale of technology solutions for safer schools.

As a ZeroNow Partner, Eastern DataComm shares the vision of creating connected and protected school environments by offering cutting-edge security technologies and providing expert assistance in navigating the grant application process.

How We Can Support Your School:

Our team can support your school with grant navigation, helping you explore which grants to apply for and connecting you with professionals who can help move you through the application process, ensuring you meet all requirements.

And of course, we’re here to help you stay connected and protected with cutting-edge physical security and communications tech solutions. We offer advanced security technologies like video surveillance, access control systems, cellular repeaters, and environmental sensors to enhance school safety.

So, together with ZeroNow, we’re here to create safer schools now and in the future.

And we can’t wait to ensure you and your learning community are among them.

… because when it comes to school safety, we’re all in this together.

To learn more contact us here.