Allegheny House Dems announce $360,000 for nonprofit security upgrades

PCCD grants awarded to potential targets of hate crimes

Allegheny County Delegation    April 6, 2023

PITTSBURGH, April 6 – Reaffirming their commitment to community safety in the region, members of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation to the Pennsylvania House today is pleased to announce nearly $360,000 has been awarded to boost security efforts at local nonprofits and religious institutions.

“Families and individuals in Allegheny County deserve to feel safe and secure wherever they go, especially in houses of worship,” said delegation chair Rep. Nick Pisciottano. “Whether its funding to equip our first responders or security enhancements for community organizations, we’ll keep fighting for state grants like these to help keep residents out of harm’s way.”

Pisciottano added that the awards would not have been possible without the dedicated work of Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, an Allegheny County native and chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and thanked him for his efforts.

Grants awarded locally include:

  • $150,000 to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
  • $75,000 to the Afro American Music Institute.
  • $49,992 to Destiny of Faith, Inc.
  • $40,000 to The Open Door, Inc.
  • $25,000 to SisTers PGH.
  • $12,000 to Congregation Dor Hadash.
  • $7,708 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh.

Administered by PCCD, the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program supports grants to nonprofit organizations who principally serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication, such as race, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity.

Recipients may use funding to support a wide range of physical security needs, including equipment purchases and security upgrades. A full listing of the 32 recipients approved in this most recent round of grants is available here.