If you run a house of worship, school, museum, or community center, the FY 2025 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is one of the most practical ways to harden your facility—without breaking your operating budget. This year, $274.5 million is available for nonprofit security upgrades across both urban-area (NSGP-UA) and state (NSGP-S) funding streams, with applications submitted through each state’s SAA. FEMA.
Below, we’ll explain why security window films and retrofit glazing systems—from trusted brands like 3M, Solar Gard, and Invisicade—belong in your application, and why NGS, the nation’s leading dealer-installer for nonprofits and schools, is the right partner to get you funded and protected.
What NSGP Will Fund (and why glazing protection fits perfectly)
NSGP dollars are specifically intended for facility hardening and other physical/cybersecurity enhancements. FEMA’s own fact sheet highlights that funding can include “the acquisition and installation of security equipment (including improvements) on real property (including buildings) owned or leased by the nonprofit organization.” FEMA
Even more directly: FEMA’s Authorized Equipment List (AEL) includes blast/shock/impact-resistant systems—explicitly citing breakage/shatter-resistant glass and window wraps—which is exactly where security window films and retrofit glazing solutions fall. AEL code 14EX-00-BSIR (“Systems, Building, Blast/Shock/Impact Resistant”) is the relevant category most nonprofits use for glazing upgrades. FEMA
Translation: properly specified security films and retrofit over-glaze systems are eligible NSGP costs when used to harden your doors, sidelites, vestibules, classrooms, lobbies, offices, and sacred spaces.
Why glazing protection is often the best first move
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High risk, high payoff: Doors and windows are the most common points of forced entry. Shatter-resistant films and retrofit glazing make these openings much harder to breach, buying precious time for occupants to shelter and for first responders to arrive. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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Cost-effective coverage: Compared with full glass replacement, films and retrofit shields typically deliver broad footprint protection for a fraction of the cost—and can often be installed without removing frames or disrupting operations. (NSGP also encourages leveraging cost-effective, risk-reducing enhancements.) FEMA+1
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Fast deployment & minimal downtime: Installations are measured in days, not months, enabling nonprofits to show progress quickly within grant performance periods.
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Layered security: Films and retrofit glazing complement cameras, access control, and training—NSGP priorities include protecting soft targets/crowded places via layered, risk-based measures. FEMA
What to specify (and how to speak FEMA’s language)
Security window film + attachment system
A properly engineered package typically pairs a multi-ply security film with a frame anchoring system (e.g., 3M™ Impact Protection Attachment), creating a continuous system that helps retain glass in the frame under impact and slows forced entry. In spec language, this is a glazing surface film with a wet-glaze or profile attachment, mapped to AEL 14EX-00-BSIR.
Retrofit glazing security solutions (e.g., Invisicade):
Invisicade Crisis Shield CS-650 is ASTM F3561 “Shooter Attack” Level 1 certified, based on third-party testing—useful for jurisdictions that ask for quantifiable, standardized performance. (Important note: security films are not bullet-resistant; avoid over-claiming and let performance standards speak for themselves.) ARCAT
Pro tip for your Investment Justification (IJ):
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Tie your glazing upgrades directly to documented vulnerabilities in your threat/risk assessment (entry doors, classroom sidelites, sanctuary windows).
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Cite the AEL code and performance standards (e.g., ASTM F3561 for shooter-attack testing, manufacturer test reports) where applicable.
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Align to NSGP’s focus on soft target protection and facility hardening. FEMA+1
How much can you request in 2025?
For FY25, a nonprofit may submit up to three sites under NSGP-S and three under NSGP-UA (where applicable), with a maximum of $600,000 total per subapplicant organization per state/territory. Coordinate with your SAA for state-specific caps and schedules—and remember that nonprofits submit through the SAA (you don’t apply to FEMA directly). FEMA+1
Why NGS is the best implementation partner for nonprofits
- Grant-savvy, nonprofit-focused team
NGS has a dedicated Grant Assistance program that helps nonprofits align scopes and specs to NSGP requirements, produce compliant quotes, and keep documentation audit-ready—so you can move from award to installation smoothly. NGS - National reach, single accountable partner
As the nation’s leading dealer-installer for security window film and retrofit glazing in the nonprofit and education sectors, NGS delivers consistent quality across multi-site portfolios—one scope, one contract, one warranty framework. (NGS also holds the authorized national dealer-installer status for Invisicade retrofit glazing, expanding performance options beyond film-only solutions.) Business WireNGS - Broad, brand-agnostic toolkit
NGS specifies across top brands—including 3M security films (with Impact Protection Attachment) and Solar Gard Armorcoat—and pairs them with Invisicade where higher forced-entry performance or standardized testing is desired. That means you get the right system for each opening and budget—not a one-size-fits-all box. 3MSolar Gard - Clear, standards-based designs
NGS scopes are mapped to the FEMA AEL, reference relevant ASTM standards (where applicable), and clearly define film type, thickness, attachment method, and over-glaze specs—reducing grant reviewer friction and preventing costly change-orders later. FEMA
A simple, NSGP-ready path to safer glazing
Step 1 — Risk-Based Assessment:
Identify the doors and windows most vulnerable to forced entry or blast hazards (main entries, classroom vestibules, office/storefront glass). Tie each opening to a risk finding in your security assessment.
Step 2 — Select the right solution per opening:
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Film + attachment: best for broad coverage and budget efficiency.
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Retrofit glazing security solutions (Invisicade, Riot Glass): choose when higher forced-entry performance or specific testing standards are required. ARCAT
Step 3 — Build a compliant IJ package:
NGS provides AEL-mapped scopes, performance data, drawings, and pricing to support your Investment Justification and SAA submission. NGS
Step 4 — Install with minimal disruption:
NGS coordinates with your calendar to minimize downtime and complete work within the grant performance period.
What to remember as you finalize your 2025 application
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Deadline: Submit via your SAA into FEMA GO by Aug. 11, 2025, 5:00 p.m. ET. Start early to avoid registration snags. FEMA
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Eligibility & channels: Nonprofits apply through their State Administrative Agency; FEMA awards to SAAs, which then subaward to nonprofits. FEMA
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Scope wisely: Map each line item to AEL 14EX-00-BSIR for glazing, and avoid overstating capabilities (e.g., films are not bullet-resistant). FEMAInternational Window Film Association
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Multiply your impact: Combine glazing with access control, cameras, lighting, and training for a layered approach that mirrors NSGP priorities. FEMA
Ready to get started?
NGS will help you assess, specify, and submit—and then deliver a clean, compliant installation across all your sites. Explore our Grant Assistance services or schedule a walkthrough to scope your glazing upgrades for FY25. NGS
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Learn more about Invisicade retrofit glazing solutions. INVISICADE
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Explore 3M security film + attachment options.
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See Solar Gard Armorcoat safety & security films.
One partner, multiple solutions, and a proven NSGP gameplan—NGS is here to help you protect your people and mission in 2025. Contact us today to get started!
