NYS Awards $51 Million to Improve Safety and Security of Organizations at Risk of Hate Crimes

by M.C. Millman

Fifty-one million dollars in grants to fund over 1,000 projects through the State’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program was announced today. 

The grant is meant to strengthen safety and security measures at nonprofit, community-based organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs, or mission.

The $51 million in funding is the largest amount that has ever been available through the State’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grants and, for the first time, can be used to enhance an organization’s cybersecurity. 

The funding for the SFY 2022-23 Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) was due to be announced by April 28 but was delayed, leaving organizations in dire need of security but without the ability to take any steps to move forward as that would have canceled the award.

The grant awards were finally announced today. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services administers the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Program, awarded funding to 497 organizations statewide for 1,081 projects totaling $51,680,910, with $8,899,091 going toward 187 cybersecurity projects. 

Successful grant applicants, including many throughout Rockland County, are being notified of their awards starting today.