Leggett Announces Grant Program for Security Needs For County Faith-Based Groups Facing Hate Crimes

For Immediate Release: Friday, June 23, 2017

County Executive Ike Leggett today announced guidelines for a Montgomery County grant program that will match monies spent by County faith-based religious institutions that have experienced or are at risk to experience hate crimes.

The “Faith-based Facilities Security Improvement Grants” program is a $225,000, one-time program approved by the County Council and supported by the County Executive and the Council as a response to recent hate crimes.

In order to be eligible, individual organizations must:

• Be an IRS registered 501(c)3, tax-exempt non-profit organization;
• Be in good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation;
• Be physically located in Montgomery County;
• Be a faith-based organization experiencing hate crimes or at significant risk of becoming a target of hate crimes; and
• Have not received a security related grant from Montgomery County in the last three (3) fiscal years (since FY14 or July 1, 2014).

In addition, only one application per organization, up to a maximum of $20,000 will be accepted. Applicants must provide a hard match of 50 percent of the amount requested. Matching funds may be used for consultant, permitting, or legal fees.  

Applications must be for one-time, physical enhancements only, such as lighting, cameras, locks, and no requests for ongoing costs such as personnel will be considered. All awards will be made on a reimbursement basis. The organization must first incur the expenses and be subsequently reimbursed by the County. The County cannot reimburse for any expenses incurred before the date of a signed and executed contract.

This is a one-time program for security improvements. In the future, organizations may request further grants through the standard County Executive and County Council grants processes.

Interested parties should submit an electronic application form with project budget by 5pm on August 1, 2017. Only electronic applications will be accepted. Organizations will be notified of award decisions by September 15, 2017.

The link: montgomerycountymd.gov/securitygrants

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Release ID: 17-439
Media Contact: Patrick Lacefield 240-777-6507