(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray announced that six Seattle area nonprofit organizations have been awarded a DHS FY07 Urban Areas Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant. Washington state is one of 24 states nationwide that will receive funding, with a total amount of $543,994 to be divided amongst the six Washington state awardees. Senator Murray, a member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee helped to secure funding for this vital program.
"As a society we must remain vigilant to all of the terrorist threats that we face. Last August a tragedy unfolded at the Jewish Federation in Seattle, and our state was reminded of the horrible realities of terrorist actions," Murray stated. "This funding will help protect local community organizations, allowing them to continue providing crucial services to the public."
The DHS Urban Areas Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program allocates funding to states that are considered high risk for a terrorist attack. Washington state then provides a sub-award directly to individual nonprofit organizations for funding. The organizations funded in Washington are:
- Nerzl-Ner Tamid
- Jewish Federation of Seattle
- Stroum Jewish Community Center of Greater Seattle
- The Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle
- Food Lifeline
- Jewish Family Service
Nonprofit Security Grants are awarded to entities that have had prior threats or attacks by a terrorist organization, are a symbolic site that heighten their risk as a terrorist target, or have an organizational role in responding or recovering from a terrorist attack.