Governor Hochul Announces Up to $70 Million Available to Help Protect Community-Based Organizations Vulnerable to Hate Crimes and Attacks

FY27 Executive Budget Proposal Includes $35 Million to Boost the $35 Million Currently Available to Protect Nonprofit, Community-Based Organizations During Heightened Global Tensions with Ongoing Conflict in the Middle East

Since Taking Office, Governor Hochul has Awarded More Than $131.5 Million in Record Funding for More than 1,700 Security Projects Through the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program

Following Governor Hochul’s Investments and Local Enforcement, Hate Crimes Reported to Police Departments and Sheriffs’ Offices Declined 26 Percent During the First 11 Months of 2025 vs. 2024

NYPD Reports Increase in Confirmed Hate Crimes During First Quarter of 2026

Record Funding Builds on Governor Hochul’s Commitment to Public Safety, Preventing Hate and Bias Crimes and Safeguarding the State Against Terrorism

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that nonprofit, community-based organizations at risk of hate crimes and attacks can now apply for record-level funding – up to $70 million – through the state’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program. The FY27 Executive Budget includes $35 million to build upon the $35 million currently available from the FY26 Enacted Budget in response to heightened threats facing organizations vulnerable to hate crimes and terror-driven violence amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“With the conflict we are seeing globally, it is more important than ever to ensure that New York remains a safe haven for all,” Governor Hochul said. “This funding reflects our commitment to stand by communities facing threats because of who they are, what they believe or how they live. These investments will help organizations across our state strengthen security, protect the people they serve and continue bringing communities together."

Administered by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant program allows eligible organizations to request a maximum of $250,000 each – the most ever since the program’s creation in 2017 – for physical security and cybersecurity projects at their facilities. Available funding supports New York’s public safety efforts and the state’s longstanding commitment to protecting people of all faiths, backgrounds and identities as tensions abroad continue to reverberate in communities across New York and the nation.

The program is expected to fund up to 280 projects and can be used to support exterior or interior security improvements, including but not limited to lighting, locks, alarms, panic buttons, fencing, barriers, access controls, shatter-resistant glass and blast-resistant film, public address systems, cybersecurity enhancements and impact protection improvements. Funds can also cover costs associated with security training.

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has delivered record funding for 1,745 security projects totaling more than $131.5 million through the Securing Communities against Hate Crimes Grant program. Police departments and sheriffs’ offices reported 696 hate crimes statewide from January through November 2025 – the fewest during that 11-month period from 2021 through 2025, and a 28 percent decline from the high of 977 reported in 2023. Anti-Jewish crimes continued to be the most common bias crime reported statewide, comprising 51 percent of all hate crimes reported. Earlier this month, the New York City Police Department released crime data for the first quarter of 2026, showing confirmed hate crimes increased 11.7 percent compared to 2025. More than half (55%) of all confirmed hate crimes were anti-Jewish, despite Jews only making up approximately 10 percent of the city’s population.

To further protect community centers and cultural institutions vulnerable to threats and violence and ensure that New Yorkers can exercise their right to worship in a manner that is safe and free from harassment, Governor Hochul proposed legislation to criminalize demonstrating within 25 feet of a house of worship with the intent to harass worshipers. These buffer zones will protect individuals from harassment and obstruction while preserving the right to lawful expression, reflecting New York’s commitment to safeguarding public safety, religious freedom while upholding constitutional values.

This proposal and Governor Hochul’s record investments in Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes builds on her efforts to enhance public safety, prevent hate and bias crimes and prevent terrorism. These efforts include:

• Launching a hotline (844-NO-2-HATE) and online form to report hate and biasincidents.
• Creating a Hate and Bias Prevention Unit to oversee incident response efforts and establish anti-bias councils across the state.
• Convening a Unity Summit that brought together 500 representatives from community organizations, law enforcement and faith groups.
• Deploying additional staff and funding to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
• Addressing online hate by calling on social media companies to strengthen moderation policies and increasing State Police monitoring capabilities.
• Expanding the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Threat Assessment and Management teams to every county and college campus statewide.

New nonprofit organizations and those that previously have received funding through the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program are eligible to apply for this round of funding. Eligible organizations include community and civic centers, cultural museums, daycare centers and other nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes or attack because of their ideology, beliefs or mission, applicants must provide vulnerability assessments that show they are at risk and how the proposed security project will help safeguard their facility or facilities and protect the people who use them.

The deadline for applications is noon Wednesday, July 8. Information about funding eligibility requirements, instructions and guidelines is available on the DCJS website. Grant awards are expected to be announced in the fall.

The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state’s criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy. Follow DCJS on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

The Division of Human Rights is the state agency that enforces the New York State Human Rights Law, the country’s oldest state-level anti-discrimination law, and one of the most comprehensive sets of civil and human rights protections in the nation.

Anyone who believes they have experienced discrimination can report it to the Division by calling (844) 697-3471 or visiting dhr.ny.gov. The Division also offers resources and services for individuals and communities impacted by hate and bias. Learn more atdhr.ny.gov/nohate. Follow the Division of Human Rights on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, X and YouTube.

Additionally, the New York State Office of Victim Services funds more than 200 programs across the State that provide services, support and assistance to victims of crime, including hate crimes. The agency also can provide eligible individuals with financial assistance for expenses resulting from being the victim of hate or other crimes. Visit ovs.ny.gov/connect to locate a program and follow the agency on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.