Peters Announces Nearly $3.5 Million in Security Grants to Faith-Based and Nonprofit Institutions Across Michigan

DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced that the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) will distribute nearly $3.5 million in 2021 to nonprofits and faith-based organizations across Michigan to help secure their facilities against potential attacks. This is a $1.1 million increase over the previous year. Peters helped secure $180 million in appropriations for the NGSP in the face of rising threats and attacks against religious institutions such as synagogues, churches, mosques and gurdwaras in communities across the country.

“The rise of threats and attacks against faith-based communities, fueled by hateful ideologies such as white supremacy, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, shows we must do more to combat this senseless violence and help protect all of our communities in Michigan and across the nation,” said Senator Peters. “I am proud to have helped secure funding for this important program that will distribute much needed funds to nonprofits and houses of worship all across Michigan so they can strengthen their physical security to defend against threats. As Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I will continue my efforts to help safeguard all communities and ensure the federal government is effectively addressing threats from domestic violent extremists.”

Data collected by organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and Center for Strategic and International Studies show our nation faces the highest level of violence based on religion in decades. This includes deadly attacks at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston and the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Funding from the NSGP can be used by religious and other non-profit institutions for securing facilities, personnel training, and other activities to help protect against violent attacks.

In his role on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Peters has long fought to help protect faith-based and nonprofit institutions that are under threat from terror attacks. Peters recently convened two hearings to examine needed actions to address the rise of white supremacist, faith-based and anti-government violence. Prior to the 2020 year-end funding bill, Peters led bipartisan legislation, which was signed into law, to authorize additional funding for the in-demand program, and has led bipartisan calls for the program to get robust funding.

###