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According to a 2022 survey, the public school spending per student increased by 8.9% from $14,359 in FY 2021 to $15,633 in FY 2022. This was the largest percentage increase in the last 2 decades, reflecting the growing financial assistance to help schools overcome their budgetary restrictions.
The US government provides school safety grants to further support these efforts in helping schools fund their safety and security needs. This article talks about school safety grants, how to apply for these programs, the best tips to follow, and the relevant use cases.
School safety grants are financial assistance to help K-12 schools, local education agencies, state education agencies, public schools, etc. ensure a safer learning environment. This includes addressing key issues like violence prevention, mental health support, and preparing for emergencies that may arise.
Usually, these funds are not required to be repaid in the future. However, it is necessary to ensure compliance with all the required terms set by the provider to avoid any chances of the application getting withdrawn. Some of the scenarios where the school may be asked to repay the funds include:
The nature of these grants is preventive rather than reactive. Several programs like STOP (a School Violence Grant Program) focus on providing schools with tools to help recognize and prevent potential threats. Other programs might focus on physical security upgrades, which is a long-term approach to address behavioral issues and develop a positive school atmosphere.
However, the eligibility for these grants is generally open to school districts and K-12 schools. Local government agencies and other educational institutes can also apply if they are eligible for a given program. Regardless, it is advised to collaborate with other districts or community organizations while applying as it can strengthen the application and improve the chances of getting shortlisted.
There are different types of grants available for financial assistance that schools can avail to upgrade their security system. Here are some prominent security grants for schools:
This grant is provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ), through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It focuses on enhancing school safety by training students, teachers, and staff to prevent and respond to acts of violence on the campus.
The application process is quite competitive and schools need to submit their proposals through JustGrants after preparing a detailed safety plan for the project. This can be done under two categories – state government or local entities like school districts.
Offered by the Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office, SVPP is one of the grants for security cameras, lockers, communication systems, and other physical security measures.
Up to $73 million in funding is available for the current year and every award is for 3 years, with a local cash match requirement of at least 25%. The program provides up to 75% funding to coordinate with law enforcement, technology to improve reporting during emergencies, and any other measure that can enhance physical security.
This funding is provided by the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on a multi-disciplinary approach to develop behavioral threat assessment teams, create public awareness campaigns, and establish prevention programs.
The funding application is quite competitive and the results are usually announced in the spring. However, 30% of the available funding is reserved for new approaches making it an ideal opportunity for schools looking forward to exploring creative solutions.
Run by the US Department of Education, Project SERV offers short-term funding to schools that have a track record of violent incidents. The goal is to help the institutions recover and restore a safe learning environment as quickly as possible.
Unlike other grants, this one is made in response to specific incidents like natural disasters, school shootings, or targeted violence. Schools affected by crises such as wildfires or violent attacks can get quick funding to address their immediate needs with this program.
It is a $200 million initiative to help schools and libraries improve their cybersecurity infrastructure. Over 3 years, participants can receive discounts to purchase cyber security services like advanced firewalls, endpoint protection, and DDoS protection.
Schools, as well as libraries can apply through a two-part process where they first need to provide general details about their security needs and project goals. After approval, there is a competitive bidding process to procure services with reimbursement provided afterward.
It is a part of Title IV, Part A of the Early Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which aims to support schools in 3 main areas:
Schools can use these funds for activities like STEM education, and arts and mental health programs. However, at least 20% of the funds must be spent on activities that improve student safety such as anti-bullying programs or mental health services. To apply, it is necessary to submit an assessment along with a plan on how the funds will be used in the key areas.
This is among the most prominent federal grants for school safety, administered by the Department of Justice’s Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS). It is designed to help schools improve security through evidence-based strategies where local governments, schools, and Indian tribes are also eligible to apply.
However, it requires a 25% matching contribution implying that schools must partially fund the initiative themselves. These funds can be used for security assessments, training for staff and students crisis intervention teams, and coordinating with the local law enforcement authorities to address school violence.
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There is no standard procedure as every grant has different requirements and processes depending on the funding agency. Plus, each state accepts these applications differently, often through different portal applications where you need to register and check the current open opportunities. However, a general application process includes the following steps:
Start by thoroughly evaluating your school's environment to identify the main safety concerns to be addressed. It can be upgrading outdated surveillance systems, filling in emergency preparedness gaps, or improving safety infrastructure. During this evaluation, consider the broader aspects:
The clearer and more precise you are in diagnosing these concerns, the stronger your grant proposal will be. You can also evaluate your capacity to manage the project once you get the funding. This is critical because several programs need an explanation justifying the need for grant support in case the application is accepted.
Once you have a clear picture of your needs, choose the right grant that aligns with those priorities. This is necessary because every grant has a different focus. Some grants emphasize improvements in physical security while others focus on mental health services or violence prevention.
Your proposal needs to reflect the focus areas clearly. While reviewing the options, check out the deadlines and funding cycles to get a complete overview. Also, check whether your school has the qualifications and necessary resources to manage the project and meet reporting requirements.
The next step is to prepare the proposal explaining how the grant will be used to address the specific safety standards you identified earlier. Apart from this, it should also include the following details:
It is equally necessary to be specific with the implementation. Clearly highlight how the project will be managed, who will lead the initiative, and what qualifications they bring. You can also mention if you will need to hire external contractors to handle the work and the long-term impact of the project.
Eventually, all elements must come together to give a comprehensive overview of your proposal and highlight the key points in a structured way. Once your proposal is ready, review and submit it to the applicable portal for approval.
After submission, your proposal will undergo a review process to check how well the project is developed and if the proposed solution effectively addresses the issue. This evaluation would also include the project's potential impact on your school and whether your team can effectively execute it.
In many cases, the process includes a follow-up if additional documentation or clarification is needed from the school authorities. If your application is approved, you will need to add quickly to implement the project. If it's not, gathering feedback will help you refine future applications.
To ensure your submission gets selected, it is necessary to keep a few things in mind. Here are some tips to help you through the process:
If you are applying for safety grants, some common mistakes can hurt your chances of securing funding. Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:
Grantors always want to ensure their funds are being used effectively, which means you need to demonstrate how you will track the success of your proposed project. If you submit vague or overly broad evaluation methods, your application might get rejected.
This evaluation component is critical because it shows that you have thought through the practicalities of implementing and assessing the project. Without this, grant reviews are left wondering how the money will be used and whether the project will have a real impact.
One of the most common mistakes schools make while applying for safety grants is failing to follow the instructions carefully. Grants often come with strict guidelines about what can and cannot be requested, yet these details can be overlooked. The review process is competitive and even the slightest error can lead to rejection.
To avoid this, it is necessary to carefully read and double-check all the requirements before submitting the final application. It is also helpful to have a team member responsible for verifying that every section of the application rightfully meets the grantor’s specifications.
Registering with the System For Award Management (SAM) is mandatory for any organization seeking federal funding whether through the Department of Justice or Homeland Security. Without registration, your application won't be considered.
Since the system cross-verifies your organization's identity, financial details, and other information, it helps ensure that only eligible entities can receive federal funding. Not being registered or having expired/incorrect details in the database can lead to disqualification from the grant process.
While it may save time, this approach rarely works because every grant has unique goals and criteria. Reviewers can often tell when a proposal has not been customized and this can make the application appear unfocused. That's why schools that reuse templates without editing them to match the new grant’s purpose are less likely to receive funding.
So, make sure to customize each application to fit the specific needs of the grant. Even if any two programs seem similar, there may be subtle differences in what they prioritize or how they evaluate applications.
Many schools focus only on large and well-known programs but overlook smaller or lesser-known finding opportunities. This can be a mistake because it is often easy to obtain smaller grants and still get substantial benefits. But in reality, smaller grants are often less competitive and have fewer restrictions.
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It usually depends on the specific program but school safety grants can cover a broad range of security improvements to enhance safety and security. Federal and state-level grants usually prioritize measures to prevent and respond to violence and improve overall security.
For example, some grants like the COPS School Violence Prevention Program focus on funding technology to help with emergency response and detect potential threats. This can include metal detectors, security cameras, improved lighting, and technology for real-time communication with law enforcement.
Other programs like STOP School Violence Grant Program fund training programs for staff and law enforcement implementing anonymous reporting systems and installing security devices. Some national programs can be more localized and specific to certain regions or cities.
For example, school safety grants in California may have specific conditions depending on the region's unique safety concerns. This makes it easier for school authorities to apply for funding that meets their specific safety needs.
School security grants are an effective means to secure funding to improve security infrastructure in schools. While the application process for these grants is highly competitive, following the right tips and presenting your proposal persuasively can always improve the chances of successful submission. To achieve this, schools must document their grant proposal correctly and all the relevant details to keep it in line with the specific requirements.
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