- Office of Grants and Research
- Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
Media Contact
Renee Algarin, Director of Communications
Braintree — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $3.8 million in grant awards to support security enhancements for 80 Massachusetts nonprofits at high risk of hate crimes or attacks by extremists. Grant recipients include faith-based organizations, health care providers, social service providers, and other community-based organizations whose beliefs or missions make them potential targets for attack.
The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), an agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), awarded grants totaling $3,800,000 through the FY24 Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program and the FY24 Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Personnel Grant Program. The Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program awarded grants totaling $3,500,000 to 66 nonprofits to enhance physical security at their locations. An additional $300,000 was awarded through the Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Personnel Grant Program to assist nonprofits with the cost of contracted security personnel.
In addition to the grant awards announced today, OGR is offering another $4.75 million in funding for similar nonprofit security. The funds will help nonprofits enhance building safety and security for their members, visitors, and staff.
The Massachusetts Nonprofit Security Gant Program will utilize federal funds made available through a State Fiscal Recovery Funds allocation from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Award announcements are expected this Spring.
“Every individual deserves the fundamental right to practice their faith without fear. These grant programs allow us to invest in the faith-based and nonprofit organizations that serve as the cornerstones of our communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We will combat bias on every front and ensure that sacred spaces are protected from the threat of violence and extremism.”
“Our administration is committed to promoting the safety and protection of houses of worship, medical facilities, cultural venues, and other gathering places. These grants provide the tools and resources needed to strengthen our community institutions and ensures Massachusetts ability to uphold our core values of diversity and inclusion,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.
“Public partnerships and collaborations with faith-based and nonprofit organizations have been vital to community safety. These organizations are part of the social fabric of our neighborhoods and our region. This funding allows us to support and protect these nonprofits as they continue providing essential services in our communities,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy.
“Nonprofit organizations are there for community members in their time of need – whether they’re seeking medical assistance, pastoral care, education, or services. We have a duty to ensure that these institutions and all who pass through their doors are protected from threats and violence. I’m proud of my office’s work partnering with nonprofits across the state to create safer gathering spaces for our communities,” said OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton.
The announcement of these recent grant awards strengthens the administration’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding diverse communities and promoting inclusivity. A newly formed Massachusetts State Police (MSP) unit, the Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team (HART), was rolled out in November 2023 in order reinforce the statewide response to hate crimes and hate-based incidents.
The administration announced in November that $461,920 in Hate Crime Prevention grants were being designed to expand and support programs to assist educators, administrators, students, and staff to reduce incidents of bias in schools.
The following organizations received funding through the FY24 Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program:
| Grantee | City/Town | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Asian American Civic Association | Boston | $75,000.00 |
| Bishop Fenwick High School | Peabody | $73,663.00 |
| Blessed Sacrament School | Walpole | $56,346.95 |
| Boston Children’s Museum | Boston | $35,775.00 |
| Boston College High School | Boston | $73,000.00 |
| Boston Healthcare for the Homeless | Boston | $75,000.00 |
| The Boston Home | Boston | $35,158.73 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester - Denney | Dorchester | $44,512.00 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester - Marr | Dorchester | $15,784.00 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester - McLaughlin | Dorchester | $36,240.00 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest | Marlborough | $16,050.00 |
| Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association | Lowell | $15,995.00 |
| Cathedral High School, Inc | Boston | $45,867.00 |
| Center for Human Development | Springfield | $55,714.00 |
| Central Catholic High School | Lawrence | $54,185.00 |
| Chapel of New Hope | Taunton | $66,157.78 |
| Cheverus Catholic School | Malden | $50,000.00 |
| Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England | Boston | $75,000.00 |
| Christ Congregational Church, UCC | Brockton | $4,937.13 |
| Church of the Covenant | Boston | $74,651.49 |
| Congregation Sha'Aray Shalom | Hingham | $38,964.20 |
| Cristo Rey Boston High School | Dorchester | $75,000.00 |
| Drama Studio | Springfield | $9,400.00 |
| East Boston Central Catholic School | East Boston | $35,000.00 |
| First Baptist Church and Christian School | Weymouth | $56,640.00 |
| Greendale Avenue Worship Center | Needham | $71,486.60 |
| Holy Name Parish | West Roxbury | $25,000.00 |
| Holy Name Parish School | Boston | $75,000.00 |
| Horizons for Homeless Children | Roxbury | $40,110.84 |
| Irish Cultural Centre, Inc | Canton | $35,100.00 |
| Jewish Community Day School | Watertown | $75,000.00 |
| Jewish Healthcare Center | Worcester | $67,989.14 |
| Jewish Rehabilitation Center for the Aged of The North Shore, Inc. (aka Jeffrey and Susan Brudnick Center for Living) | Peabody | $68,469.60 |
| Lander-Grinspoon Academy | Northampton | $3,000.00 |
| Lawyers for Civil Rights | Boston | $37,500.00 |
| LGBTQ Senior Housing | Hyde Park | $71,656.00 |
| Lowell Catholic | Lowell | $71,590.00 |
| Lowell Community Health Center | Lowell | $57,905.00 |
| The Maimonides School | Brookline | $75,000.00 |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Presbyterian Church | Springfield | $68,800.00 |
| Masjid Al-Quran | Dorchester | $75,000.00 |
| Nativity Preparatory School of Boston | Jamaica Plain | $72,424.00 |
| Old South United Methodist Church | Reading | $57,712.81 |
| The Rashi School | Dedham | $75,000.00 |
| St. Ann's Home, Inc | Methuen | $50,376.12 |
| St. Augustine School | Andover | $10,471.00 |
| Saint Catherine of Siena School | Norwood | $47,168.46 |
| Saint Columbkille Partnership School | Brighton | $75,000.00 |
| St. James Church - Our Lady of Grace Parish | Groton | $55,762.98 |
| Saint John the Baptist School | Peabody | $75,000.00 |
| St. Joseph Church and Our Lady of Grace Rectory | Pepperell | $71,480.48 |
| St. Mary's Academy | Longmeadow | $75,000.00 |
| Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish and School | Brookline | $71,391.13 |
| St. Michael the Archangel Parish | Winthrop | $45,139.52 |
| St. Peter's San Pedro Episcopal Church | Salem | $73,666.30 |
| Saint Theresa of Avila School | Boston | $47,333.00 |
| Temple Beth Shalom | Needham Heights | $60,000.00 |
| Temple B'nai Abraham | Beverly | $67,768.00 |
| Temple Shir Tikvah | Winchester | $74,704.00 |
| Temple Sinai- Brookline | Brookline | $75,000.00 |
| The Torah Center of Greater Worcester, Inc | Worcester | $21,210.00 |
| United American Muslim Association of NY Inc. (UAMA) Boston Branch, Selimiye Mosque | Methuen | $46,028.72 |
| Urban Impact Initiative Massachusetts | Springfield | $29,339.76 |
| Whitinsville Christian School | Whitinsville | $12,112.07 |
| Young Israel of Brookline | Brookline | $75,000.00 |
| YWCA Central Massachusetts, Inc. | Worcester | $23,263.19 |
| Total | $3,500,000 |
The following organizations received funding through the FY24 Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Personnel Grant Program:
| Grantee | Location | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bais Yaakov | Brighton | $23,062.00 |
| Boston Healthcare for the Homeless | Boston | $40,000.00 |
| Chabad Lubavitch Inc. | Newton | $5,094.00 |
| Congregation Sha'aray | Hingham | $13,218.75 |
| Gann Academy | Waltham | $40,000.00 |
| Holyoke Healthcare Center | Holyoke | $14,464.80 |
| Jewish Community Center of Greater Boston | Newton | $40,000.00 |
| Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center | Vineyard Haven | $6,725,95 |
| MetroWest Jewish Day School | Framingham | $31,137.50 |
| New England Hebrew Academy | Brookline | $35,112.00 |
| Striar Hebrew Academy of Sharon | Sharon | $25,890.00 |
| Temple Ahavat Achim | Gloucester | $12,500.00 |
| Young Israel of Brookline | Brookline | $6,435.00 |
| Young Israel of Sharon | Sharon | $6,360.00 |
| Total | $300,000.00 |
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Office of Grants and Research
