WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Obama signed into a law a homeland security bill that includes funds for non-profits.
The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act 2010, which was signed Wednesday, includes $19 million in funding for a grant program to improve security for nonprofits and religious institutions. The funds allocated for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program represent a $4 million increase from current levels.
Jewish groups, including Agudath Israel of America, Jewish Federations of North America (formerly United Jewish Communities) and the Orthodox Union, had lobbied for the funding increase and are lauding the bill’s passage.
Jewish groups have received the plurality of the funds since the program was established in 2005.
The money is used typically to enhance security at communal buildings, including Jewish community centers, schools and synagogues, through video systems and barriers among other measures.
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