Legislation to Ease Security Grant Match Requirement

What happened:  Rep. Abigail Salisbury (D-Allegheny), co-chair of the bipartisan Pennsylvania Charitable Nonprofit Caucus, is preparing to introduce legislation that would remove the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund’s 33% match requirement for smaller organizations. Under her proposal, nonprofits with annual revenue under $250,000 would be exempt from the match requirement for grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000. Salisbury is currently seeking co-sponsors. 

Background:  Pennsylvania’s Nonprofit Security Grant Fund provides funding for physical security upgrades — including security cameras, fencing, lighting, and alarm systems — for faith-based and community organizations facing targeted threats. The current 33% match requirement means an organization seeking a $75,000 grant must provide $25,000 of its own funds. For small nonprofits, particularly community organizations and small faith communities operating on tight budgets, that requirement is often an insurmountable barrier regardless of genuine security need. 

Why Salisbury is introducing the bill:  Salisbury cited the 2024 attempted shooting at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock as a specific example. The congregation — a small community church — subsequently struggled to raise matching funds to access security grant support, despite facing a documented, serious threat. She argued that small faith-based and community organizations are just as vulnerable to targeted threats as larger organizations, and the match requirement should not be the deciding factor in whether they can protect their congregants and community members. 

Why it matters for Pennsylvania nonprofits:  This bill is particularly relevant in the current environment. The IRS Whistleblower Alert, the Form 990 transparency initiative, and the House Oversight Task Force’s explicit focus on nonprofits have all increased the sector’s visibility as a target for scrutiny. Small nonprofits that have avoided applying for security grants because of the match requirement should monitor this legislation and be prepared to communicate its value to their legislators.