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Nonprofit leaders praise grant fixes, urge more funding for security
Summary
Grantees told the committee HCEMA fixed communication lapses in the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program and asked Council to increase local grant funding for security personnel and event coverage; HCEMA officials described improvements and the reimbursable nature of some awards.
Representatives of community nonprofits told the Committee they saw measurable improvements in HCEMA's administration of the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program but urged the Council to increase local funding for security personnel.
Rachel Feinstein of the Jewish Community Relations Council told the committee HCEMA "staff have worked diligently to internally investigate communication lapses and determine the procedural changes needed to more effectively manage this program," and said grantees now report quicker responses and better partnership with HCEMA. Feinstein and other witnesses asked the Council to increase the District-managed Safe and Secure DC grant, noting last year's mayoral program authorization was $750,000 and they sought at least an additional $250,000.
Committee members and HCEMA staff clarified that the HCEMA-run federal program operates on a reimbursable basis in many cases — organizations must spend funds up front and then be reimbursed — which limits participation by smaller nonprofits without reserve operating funds. HCEMA representatives said staff proactively reached out to grantees and reviewed complaints filed in prior oversight to correct process failures; the committee noted the budget season is an opportunity to decide local funding increases.
