Amid unprecedented threats to safety and security, Jewish Federations are digging deep to protect Jewish communities across the United States, turning to the state-level Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).

 

While the federal government provides some of the funding necessary for the protection of our communities, Federations have had to also utilize NSGP-State funds. Even still, Jewish communities across the United States are having to allocate 14% of their annual budgets to security costs.

 

In total, Federations in 22 states (including Washington, D.C.) receive state-level NSGP funding. Those Federations each have unique security needs, and each has its own advocacy strategy.

 

“This moment requires all hands on deck,” said Joanna Mendelson, Senior Vice President of Community Engagement for Jewish Federations Los Angeles (JFEDLA). “Coalition-building is critical, whether that’s through grassroots organizing, lobbying, legislation, or raising awareness.”

 

Six Federations in Texas have found success by maintaining high levels of collaboration, enabling them to work together seamlessly.

 

“The real force behind getting a $7 million allocation was the coordination between all six Texas Jewish Federations—Shalom Austin, Dallas, Houston, Ft. Worth and Tarrant County, San Antonio, and El Paso,” said Emily Bourgeois, Public Affairs Director of Shalom Austin. “We were able to pull on the unique stories and strengths of each region of our state and pool resources for a statewide push. We realized through this process that we are truly stronger working together.”

 

Given the urgency of the moment, the Texas Federations began engaging on the NSGP immediately after the last state legislative session. Through high engagement, including a letter-writing campaign and joint state advocacy day, they were able to achieve high impact:

 

• 250% increase in NSGP funding
• 71 Jewish community organizations received NSGP grants
• 29% of grants going to Jewish communities across Texas in FY 2024-25
• $7 million to cover security needs over the next two years – over $2 million more than previously allocated

Jewish Federation Los Angeles (JFEDLA) has similarly partnered with other organizations to achieve historic levels of NSGP funding. The need for these resources has only grown as the threat landscape in Los Angeles evolves.

 

The advocacy work that JFEDLA has taken on, alongside the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) and the Community Security Initiative (CSI), led to $80 million being budgeted for the safety of California’s Jewish community through the NSGP.

 

JFEDLA and its partners sent the largest delegation in Federations history to lobby in Sacramento for this funding, with 100 members being from JFEDLA alone. These efforts resulted in the California Governor’s Office strengthening the threat requirements for accessing NSGP-State funding, which in turn prioritized the Jewish community.

 

The scale and scope of both the Texas and California Federations’ advocacy efforts point to the severity of the security threats facing American Jews.

 

In the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001, terror attacks, Federations began advocating for Congress to support security needs, leading to the creation of the federal NSGP in 2004. Federations remain the lead coordinating body in support of the program’s annual appropriations and allow the Jewish community to speak with one voice when it comes to the safety of our shared spaces.

 

Jewish Federations of North America has been engaged on these and similar efforts across the country both at the federal and state level, working to support local Federations in their advocacy to increase funding in states with preexisting programs and establish programs in states without security grant programs.