MARYLAND – Maryland is awarding $10 million in grants to help nonprofit organizations, houses of worship and community centers improve security and prepare for emergencies, state officials announced Tuesday.
The Protection Against Hate Crimes grants will provide funding to 116 organizations across 16 counties and Baltimore City during the 2027 fiscal year.
The money can be used for security personnel, surveillance cameras, access control systems, facility improvements, emergency communication systems and staff training.
The program is designed to support organizations serving communities that are frequently targeted because of race, religion, sexual orientation or disability status.
Recipients include synagogues, mosques, LGBTQ+ organizations and other community groups. State officials said awards range from equipment upgrades for smaller organizations to broader security improvements for larger facilities.
“People want to feel safe when they gather to worship or participate in community activities,” Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy Executive Director Dorothy Lennig said. “When a violent actor targets people because of their race or religion, it destabilizes our sense of security.”
Maryland has awarded Protection Against Hate Crimes funding annually since the program began in 2019. The state says the grants are intended to help organizations respond to hate crimes and bias incidents targeting protected communities.
Gov. Wes Moore said the funding is part of the state's broader public safety efforts.
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” Moore said. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way.”
State officials said the grants will also support measures such as reinforced doors and windows, improved lighting, lockdown systems and active-shooter preparedness.
