ALBANY (WENY) – Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced $25 million will be available to help nonprofit organizations improve the security of their facilities.
The announcement comes as hate and bias incidents continue throughout the state of New York, many of them targeting Jewish, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
According to the governor’s website, the announcement will better protect those at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs or mission.
“By their very nature, hate crimes strike at the heart of our democratic values and threaten to undermine the very tenets of our society,” Gov. Hochul said. “By helping these nonprofit organizations protect themselves against these cowardly acts of violence, we continue to make public safety a top priority. Bigotry and hate have no place in our state, and we will do everything in our power to protect vulnerable people from those who would lash out against them due to their ideology, belief or mission.”
The funding builds on the already established $43 million in state grants that will help 362 organizations boost security infrastructure and preparedness against potential hate crime attacks. In total, the state funding will support 872 projects across the state, including bolstering security at community centers, schools, museums and day camps.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services will begin seeking proposals for the $25 million this fall. It will accept applications for up to $50,000 per facility, and each eligible organization may submit up to three applications for a maximum of $150,000.
Gov. Hochul also announced the rollout of an expanded online reporting form run by New York State Police and the Division of Human Rights. The new feature will allow New Yorkers to report bias and hate incidents occurring throughout the state.
Leave a Reply