Nashville, TN - As you heard last week, WORSHIP SECURITY GRANTS administered by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security are available. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations serving as houses of worship can receive up to $100,000 under the grant program. Trained security professionals funded through this program can help respond in emergency situations and prevent tragedies before they happen.

This is for 2024-25 time frame.

State Rep. Robert Stevens, R-Smyrna, announced that applications for the 2024-25 security grants must be submitted between now and 11:59PM Friday night, July 12, 2024 (going into Saturday).

He commented, “Everyone should feel safe when they visit houses of worship and, unfortunately, after recent attacks across our country, that is not always the case. These grants will provide religious leaders the ability to ensure that their congregations will always be protected from those who have ill intentions.”

This grant has a 12-month grant period and is a reimbursement grant. All expenditures must be made and all required documentation for reimbursement must be submitted to Homeland.Security@tn.gov within this 12-month period no later than the date as indicated per the contract.

Instructions on how to apply can be found on the Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s website. The General Assembly devoted $750,000 to fund the Houses of Worship Security Grant as part of its $52.8 billion zero-debt balanced budget that was passed in April.

Again, the deadlne for Tennessee houses of worship that are eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, have  between now and 12:59PM, July 12 to file your application for a grant of up to $100,000 to cover the expense of hiring trained security professionals. Each application must be for one facility/location.

There is more information on the State's website:  CLICK HERE