Milestone launches grant programme for security projects funding

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Various grant programmes, such as the Homeland Security Grant programme (HSGP) and Nonprofit Security Grant programme (NSGP), provide funding for physical security enhancements.
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): CISA offers resources and guidance on physical security and may occasionally provide funding opportunities.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

• Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): The COPS Office offers grants beneficial for various public safety initiatives, including physical security enhancements.
• Office of Justice programmes (OJP): The OJP manages several grant programmes that may fund physical security improvements, such as the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) programme and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programme.

Department of Education (ED)

• School Violence Prevention programme (SVPP): The SVPP provides funding for schools to improve physical security, such as the installation of surveillance cameras, metal detectors, and other safety equipment.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): HRSA may offer grant programmes, including funding for physical security improvements for healthcare facilities.

Physical security funding

It’s essential to stay informed about current grant programmes and eligibility criteria

Remember that state and local governments, foundations, and other non-profit organisations, may also offer funding opportunities for physical security. With Milestone’s grant-writing service, it’ll research possibilities specific to a region and organisation type, as there may be additional funding sources for physical security improvements.

It’s essential to stay informed about current grant programmes and eligibility criteria, as these can change over time. Milestone's team helps stay up-to-date with information on relevant grants for users and their organisation.

Increased grant opportunities

Millions of dollars in federal, state, and local grant funding opportunities go untapped yearly. Many businesses and organisations don’t even try for grants because they are often hard to find, have complex applications, and require tedious post-funding reporting.

However, due to continued violence and threats on education and healthcare campuses, grant opportunities for security improvements in these organisations are increasing.

Cybersecurity, anti-bullying grants

SVPP and NSGP are just two of the many programmes that specifically offer assistance for video surveillance

Tom Young is an A&E Manager in the United States for Milestone. He says, “The Federal Emergency Management Agency is probably the biggest provider of funds for schools, hospitals, and churches. However, other government agencies have funding set up for certain types of at-risk organisations."

"There are funding programmes for anti-bullying, cybersecurity, or anti-violence. These agencies provide grants to help fund security projects for end customers. Beyond the federal government, state and local governments also have grant funds that are available for security projects.” On the federal level, the School Violence Prevention programme (SVPP) and the Nonprofit Security Grant programme (NSGP) are just two of the many programmes that specifically offer assistance for video surveillance and related security equipment and software.

Grant-writing and awards

Milestone has partnered with EMD Security Grant Services to help education and healthcare organisations navigate the security grant landscape from start to finish. Some companies offer grant writing but lack any security expertise, and some security companies provide consulting but do not have grant-writing skills.

EMD has experience in security consulting and grant assistance, which has yielded an impressive success rate in obtaining and managing grants over the last 15 years. The good news is that grant awards typically include management fees that cover the cost of the assistance provided by companies like EMD.

Skill and service

Once candidates receive the grant award, the second half is what gets the funds into the end customer’s hands"

Elisa Mula, the owner of EMD, brings a level of skill and service that most companies can’t match.

However, Elisa says, “The harder part of supporting these programmes is the aftermath. Once candidates receive the grant award, the second half is what gets the funds into the end customer’s hands."

Documented information

"When funding is awarded, the government wants to know what the money will be used for. That information must be documented and forms that the agency requires must be completed."

"So, the agencies realised the process is complex and complicated, and many of their grant awardees are just forfeiting their funds because they can't figure out how to do it. So that is where we come in to help.”

Milestone Grant programme

The Milestone Grant programme encourages security dealers and installers to identify education and healthcare customers that would benefit from a grant that can enhance, replace, or even deploy a security solution.

EMD and Milestone will then connect with these candidates to find the right grant solution and walk the customer through the process. The Milestone Grant programme will:

• Identify and match potential grants to end customers.
• Complete the application and submit it to the grant-issuing authority.
• Provide the security threat assessment.
• Deliver the necessary reporting requirements.
• Respond to any audit requests.
• Provide financial assistance during the process with financing from Canon Financial.
• Manage the extended lifecycle of the complex process.