Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $5 Million to Prevent Hate Crimes and Extremist Attacks

Braintree — The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced nearly $5 million in grants to support more than 100 nonprofit organizations at high risk of hate crimes or terror attacks enhance their security. This funding is part of the administration’s broader investment in security improvements for nonprofits, which totaled $16.4 million in 2024. The latest funding reflects the administration’s ongoing commitment toward safeguarding nonprofits that serve as the heart of Massachusetts communities.

The announcement follows the release of the 2023 Hate Crime Report for Massachusetts by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The report documented 557 hate crime reports statewide —a 26.6 percent increase from 440 in 2022. As in previous years, the most common bias motivation in 2023 was based on race, ethnicity, or national origin, accounting for 45.1 percent of all incidents. Notably, anti-Jewish offenses saw the sharpest increase, which rose from 70 in 2022 to 119 in 2023.

“These organizations offer comfort, services, community and support to those they serve. Our administration is committed to ensuring nonprofits and all who gather in these spaces are protected from hate and extremist violence,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Everyone deserves to safely practice their chosen faith, access health care, seek services and gather in community spaces free from the threat of harm.”

“These grants represent our administration’s promise to protect at-risk communities from harm and threats. We are dedicated to promoting safety for all in Massachusetts and ensuring nonprofits have the support and resources they need to protect their organizations and the community members they serve,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.

The grants were awarded through two state-funded grant programs managed by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR). Under the FY25 Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program, OGR awarded more than $4,445,000 to 82 organizations across Massachusetts. This program provides funds to at-risk nonprofits – including faith-based and community organizations, health care providers and other 501(c)3 nonprofits – to make priority security improvements to protect against hate crimes or terror attacks. An additional $500,000 was awarded to 20 nonprofits through the FY25 Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Personnel Grant Program, which assists high risk organizations with the cost of contracted security personnel to bolster their safety measures.

Grant recipients will receive technical, grant management and reporting assistance from program coordinators assigned to OGR’s Homeland Security Division throughout their grant’s performance period.

“We are deeply committed to our fundamental responsibility of protecting the organizations that support and uplift our communities. These grants not only enhance the safety of these vital organizations but also provide peace of mind and security for the community members they serve,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy.

“Places of worship, schools, service providers and other nonprofits are at the center of daily life in our communities. All who gather in these spaces or turn to them for services have the right to do so without fear. These grant programs ensure that nonprofits have access to resources to protect their facilities, their staff and those they serve,” said OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton.

FY25 Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program award recipients are:

FY25 Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Personnel Grant Program award recipients are:

Today’s announcement builds upon the many initiatives put forward to ensure Massachusetts can embrace its diversity and live up to its principles. Annual, state-funded grant programs are one of several initiatives in support of the administration’s efforts to prevent and respond to hate crimes, key efforts include:

• Nonprofit Security Grant Program: In addition to the annual Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grant Program and Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Personnel Grant Program, OGR manages and administers the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program in Massachusetts. The annual program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide at-risk nonprofits with resources for target hardening initiatives. In 2024, the program delivered more than $7.8 million to 67 Massachusetts nonprofits at risk of a terror or extremist attack.
   
• Massachusetts Nonprofit Security Grant Program: In 2024, OGR introduced the Massachusetts Nonprofit Security Grant Program, a one-time initiative funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), to provide additional support for hate crime and terrorism prevention. The program awarded $4.75 million to assist 85 nonprofits.
• Nonprofit Security Grant Program – National Security Supplemental: In November 2024, OGR announced a new federal funding opportunity through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program – National Security Supplemental, with awards expected in Spring 2025. OGR’s initiatives demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding nonprofits and fostering safer, more resilient communities.
• Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team (HART): In November 2023, Massachusetts State Police launched the Hate Crimes Awareness Response Team (HART) to reinforce the statewide response to hate crimes and hate-based incidents. The mission of HART is to enhance federal, state, and local partnerships; to strengthen relationships with community leaders for a more effective and efficient response to hate crimes and hate-based incidents; to enhance statewide data collection and information sharing to identify statewide, national and global patterns and trends; to increase stakeholder collaboration and educational outreach; and partner with the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) to equip law enforcement with best practices for hate crime response.
• Advanced Education for Law Enforcement: HART is currently working with MPTC on a new in-service curriculum, and HART will begin a train-the-trainer program in June.
• Faith-Based Organizations Safety and Security Seminar: In November 2024, the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center hosted its sixth annual security summit for faith-based organizations at Gillette Stadium, bringing together public safety and security officials with faith leaders to promote safety in houses of worship and other facilities.
• Civil Rights Symposium: In August 2024, the Healey-Driscoll Administration convened a statewide Civil Rights Symposium for 200 law enforcement officers as part of a steadfast commitment to promoting justice, equity, and civil rights protections for all Massachusetts residents and visitors. EOPSS and MPTC partnered with the Massachusetts State Police, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Meta’s Civil Rights Team, and DSFG Solutions LLC, to host a one-day educational forum to deepen law enforcement’s understanding of civil rights issues and promote practices for the effective prevention, investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.
• Campus Safety and Security Summit: EOPSS and the Massachusetts State Police convened the first-ever Campus Safety and Security Summit in July, bringing together nearly 150 campus safety officials and law enforcement personnel to address the challenges of maintaining public safety and upholding First Amendment rights during campus demonstrations and protests.
• Legislative Task Force on Hate Crimes: The Task Force, co-chaired by Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy and President of Kraft Family Philanthropies Josh Kraft, continues advising the administration on issues relating to the prevalence, deterrence, and prevention of hate crimes.

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