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Nonprofits, faith groups and civil-rights groups urge state grants to fund security upgrades
Summary
Witnesses told the Senate Judiciary Committee that rising bias incidents and threats against nonprofits, faith communities and cultural organizations require a state nonprofit-security grant program; SB 939 would create a fund and direct Oregon Emergency Management to administer criteria and rules.
A bill to create a state nonprofit security grant program drew wide support Feb. 27 at the Senate Judiciary Committee, where nonprofits, faith leaders and civil-rights organizations described threats and vandalism that they said have forced organizations to divert program funds to security.
The measure, SB 939, would direct the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) to develop and administer a grant program to help eligible nonprofits make security enhancements against hate crimes, establish an Oregon Nonprofit Security Grant Program Fund in the state treasury and require ODEM to adopt rules for eligibility and ranking based on risk and existing security measures.
Why it matters: Witnesses said bias incidents and threats have risen and that small and community-based nonprofits shoulder security costs that reduce service delivery. Testimony included examples of vandalism, threats and attempted armed surveillance of community centers and houses of worship.
Key testimony included: - Max Williams of the Oregon Coalition for Nonprofit Safety urged a $5 million appropriation and said federal funds are limited and did not meet Oregon—s needs; he noted unmet federal requests of roughly $13 million in FY 2023-24. - Philip Wong of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon said some nonprofits face costs of $70,000 or more to install surveillance and monitoring systems, plus recurring subscription fees for security services. - Jessica Anderson, regional security advisor for the Secure Community Network and former FBI supervisory special agent, said basic access control, cameras and monitored systems deter attacks and provide evidence to identify suspects.
Community examples: Elizabeth Nye of Lansu Chinese Garden described repeated attacks including broken windows, an ax thrown through a teahouse window, human feces smeared on exterior walls and staff resignations tied to safety fears. Musa Olol, president of the Somali American Council of Oregon, recounted threats that included a caller brandishing an AR-15 near his center and active-shooter training that his organization later requested. Self Enhancement Inc. described a $350,000 bulletproof-glass retrofit paid for with private funds that otherwise would have been used for programs serving children and families.
Policy and fiscal notes: Staff explained the bill defines eligible nonprofits by risk of hate crime, security enhancements, and requires an initial appropriation to seed the fund; the dash-1 amendment clarifies that interest earnings on the fund return to the same account. Sponsors requested written testimony and technical feedback on draft rules; staff noted the bill would be referred to Ways and Means for appropriation details (as with other fund-creation bills).
Ending: Committee members closed the hearing with an invitation for additional written testimony through the OLIS portal by the following Saturday and indicated they would continue work on the measure. No committee vote was taken that day.
