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Sikh Coalition urges gurdwaras to apply for security grant now
The group has asked gurdwaras to quickly secure FEMA funds before August 11.
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Staff Reporter - Fri, 01, Aug 2025
- 02:32 EDT
- 51
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The Coalition has been involved in NSGP-related advocacy for years. / Sikh Coalition
The Sikh Coalition is urging gurdwara leaders across the United States to act swiftly and apply for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which is now open for the 2025 fiscal year. Administered by FEMA, the grant supports houses of worship in strengthening security and preparing for emergencies. However, with the application deadline set for August 11—just weeks away—the Coalition has raised concerns over the tight timeline and is offering free assistance to help gurdwaras navigate the complex process.
The organization said the short deadline does not account for the complexity of the application process or the need for detailed supporting materials. “This funding is vital for our sangats,” the Sikh Coalition said in a public statement. “Gurdwaras should be prepared to articulate any past incidents, the current threat landscape, and relevant coordination with law enforcement.”
The Coalition has been involved in NSGP-related advocacy for years. In 2022, it partnered with Congressman Bennie Thompson to help pass the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Improvement Act, supported by more than 90 gurdwaras nationwide. That legislation came around the 10th anniversary of the Oak Creek gurdwara shooting in Wisconsin, which left six worshippers dead and brought national attention to the vulnerability of Sikh communities in the United States.
This July, the Sikh Coalition again pushed federal agencies to act, leading a group of interfaith and civil rights organizations in urging the Department of Homeland Security to open the 2025 application process. DHS had missed its legal deadline by more than two months.
Since 2017, over 100 gurdwaras have used the Coalition’s security toolkit, Preventing Attacks on Gurdwarae, which was most recently updated in 2024. The resource offers guidance on improving safety without compromising the welcoming atmosphere of Sikh places of worship.
At the same time, the Coalition urged caution. It encouraged gurdwara leaders to consider potential civil rights concerns when engaging with federal law enforcement, especially around surveillance and immigration enforcement.
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