NSGP Readiness Checklist — Accurate Advisory Group

The NSGP can award up to $200,000 per facility for security improvements — but applications are scored competitively, and incomplete submissions lose. Use this checklist to see how ready you are. Wherever you get stuck, that's exactly where we can help.

Eligibility Basics

Confirm you can apply at all — these are non‑negotiable.

Nonprofit status confirmedYou hold 501(c)(3) status (or can otherwise document nonprofit status per program rules) — houses of worship qualify.

UEI number obtainedYour organization is registered at SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier. Registration is free but can take weeks — start early.

Facility identifiedYou know which physical location(s) you're applying for — each facility requires its own application materials.

State deadline knownNSGP applications go through your State Administrative Agency (SAA), and each state sets its own internal deadline — often weeks before the federal one.

Risk & Threat Documentation

The heart of a competitive application — evidence that your organization is at risk.

Incident history gatheredRecords of any threats, vandalism, harassment, or security incidents at your facility — police reports, photos, dates, and descriptions.

Relevant threat data collectedDocumentation of threats against organizations like yours — hate‑crime statistics, advisories, or incidents affecting similar institutions in your region.

Organization's risk profile describedA written explanation of why your organization may be a target — visibility, symbolic value, community served, public events, media attention.

Community impact describedWho depends on your facility — congregation size, students served, programs offered — and what an attack or disruption would mean for them.

Vulnerability Assessment

Required for the application — and the foundation of your project design.

Facility vulnerability assessment completedA documented security assessment of your facility — self‑assessments are accepted, but assessments by law enforcement or qualified security professionals strengthen your application.

Security gaps identifiedThe assessment clearly identifies weaknesses: entry points, lighting, surveillance coverage, access control, communication systems.

Gaps mapped to requested itemsEvery dollar you request must trace back to a vulnerability the assessment identified — reviewers score this alignment heavily.

Free Download: Facility Self-Assessment Tool Fillable PDF Don't have an assessment yet? Start here. This fillable 14-page self-assessment walks you through 17 areas — access control, security personnel, lighting, doors & windows, surveillance, emergency planning, and more. Developed by the New Jersey State Police with the NJ Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness; useful for facilities in any state.

Download the PDF ↓

Project Planning & Budget

What you'll buy, what it costs, and when it happens.

Eligible improvements listedYour planned items are allowable under the program — e.g., cameras, access control, reinforced doors, lighting, fencing, alarm systems, and certain training and planning costs.

Cost estimates or vendor quotes obtainedRealistic pricing for each item — reviewers flag budgets that look like guesses.

Implementation timeline draftedA realistic schedule showing the project can be completed within the award's period of performance (typically up to 36 months).

Sustainment consideredA plan for maintaining equipment after the grant — monitoring contracts, warranties, staff responsibilities.

Application Materials

The documents you'll actually submit.

Investment Justification (IJ) draftedThe core scored document — it weaves your risk, vulnerabilities, and proposed project into a persuasive narrative under strict format rules.

Mission statement readyA concise statement of who you are and who you serve, consistent with your IRS records.

Authorized official designatedThe person empowered to sign and submit for your organization, with their contact details.

Prior award history documentedIf you've received NSGP or similar grants before, records of how funds were used and closed out.

Application reviewed before submissionA final review against your state's scoring criteria — formatting errors and missing attachments are the most common preventable failures.

This checklist is general guidance based on typical NSGP requirements. Program rules vary by state and funding cycle — always confirm against your State Administrative Agency's current guidance. Your checked progress is saved only in your browser; we don't see it.

Eligibility Basics

Risk & Threat Documentation

Vulnerability Assessment

Project Planning & Budget

Application Materials

We handle every item on this list for you.