Nine Worcester County nonprofits including healthcare organizations, schools, and places of worship received nearly half a million in state grants to finance security updates needed to protect them from potential hate crimes and terror attacks.
Funding for the grants is provided through the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research’s Massachusetts Nonprofit Security Grant Program, according to a Thursday press release from the ORG and Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. In total, 85 Massachusetts nonprofits received funding totalling $4.75 million.
Central Massachusetts recipients include:
Worcester Natural History Society (DBA EcoTarium) in Worcester received $75,000
Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester received $65,000
Open Sky Community Services in Worcester received $43,043
St. Bernard’s Elementary School in Fitchburg received $75,000
Boroughs Islamic Society in Westborough received $74,985
Annunciation Parish in Gardner received $74,657
Saint Bridget School in Framingham received $74,428
Anna Maria College in Paxton received $55,000
Attleboro Norton YMCA received $51,000
Applications from Massachusetts nonprofits at high risk of hate crimes and terrorist attacks were processed by the OGR between Jan. 31 and March 1. Recipients were selected based on factors including reviewers’ scores, whether the organization had received prior funding for nonprofit security grants, the organization’s programmatic priorities, and funds available.
“Nonprofits are cornerstones of community life, where individuals gather in joy and sorrow, turn for support or services, learn and grow, and find human connection. We are committed to ensuring that these institutions have access to resources to protect their facilities and the community members they serve,” Kevin Stanton, executive director of OGR, said in the release.
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.
