Pittsburgh Jewish organizations awarded more than $1.7 million security grants

The Josh Shapiro-Austin Davis administration has announced nearly $11 million in funding to combat hate crimes and enhance security at 191 nonprofit and faith-based organizations in Pennsylvania.

The funding was awarded through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which Davis, the state’s lieutenant governor, chairs.

“The Shapiro-Davis administration remains dedicated to creating a Pennsylvania where everyone feels safe, valued and able to access services free from hate or violence,” Davis said.

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He added that the strong demand for the program makes it clear that the need for the funding is ongoing and that the PCCD is proud to continue “this critical support to communities across the commonwealth.”

In a statement announcing the funding, the PCCD noted that this is the eighth cohort of the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program and that it has provided $35 million in support to more than 600 unique organizations across Pennsylvania.

Over the last three years, the Shapiro-Davis administration has more than doubled the amount of state funding available each year in the program.

It is estimated that more than 7 million people have been impacted by the grants.

The funding was awarded to nonprofits, including faith-based institutions, community centers and other organizations and facilities that principally serve individuals, groups or institutions included within a “bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents, as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication,” according to the statement.

The money will be used for security enhancements including safety and security planning and training, the purchase of safety and security equipment and technology, upgrades to existing structures that enhance safety and security, as well as vulnerability and threat assessments.

“All Pennsylvanians deserve to worship peacefully, no matter what you look like where you are from or who you pray or do not pray to,” Shapiro said. “That’s why we have more than doubled the Commonwealth’s investment in the nonprofit security grants that help places like mosques, churches, and synagogues equip themselves with security measures.”

Under Davis’ leadership at PCCD, Shapiro said, the administration is working to ensure “that every Pennsylvanian has the real freedom that comes when you walk down the street in your community without worrying about violence.”

Shapiro’s residence was set on fire in an arson attack last year on the first night of Passover.

The Pittsburgh Jewish community continues to operate under an elevated threat level that was raised following the Oct. 27, 2018, shooting that targeted three congregations: Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life.

Tensions have continued since Hamas’ terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the Jewish state’s response. There have been frequent antisemitic incidents in and around the city.

The threat level has continued to rise, both locally and nationally since the start of the United States’ and Israel’s military strikes on Iran last month. Michael Masters, national director and CEO of the Secure Community Network, said there was a more than 100% increase in violent online posts directed against the Jewish community in the first six days following the start of the mission.

Locally, someone broke into police emergency radio equipment earlier this month to broadcast antisemitic and neo-Nazi rhetoric, and threats against Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor. That breach is still being investigated.

So far in 2026, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has logged 54 antisemitic incidents in the region.

Shawn Brokos, community security director for Pittsburgh’s Federation, said that Federation worked with Jewish organization and other interfaith groups to assist with the grant applications. She noted that three of the interfaith groups and 30 Greater Pittsburgh Jewish organizations received funding. In total, the Jewish groups were awarded more than $1.7 million in funds that will be used for target hardening and security enhancements.

“We’re grateful to the state of Pennsylvania for this grant,” Brokos said, noting that over the last five years Federation has helped 108 organizations secure more than $5.7 million in state security funding.

“Here in Allegheny County, support from PCCD has strengthened safety at synagogues, day schools, community centers and partners including the JCC, Hillel Academy, Tree of Life and many others,” she said. “These grants are a lifeline for nonprofits that face real security concerns.”

After the announcement by the Shapiro-Davis administration, state Rep. Dan Frankel, whose district includes Squirrel Hill, also issued a news release, announcing that more than $1.3 million dollars from the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund was directed to 22 organizations in his district.

“The institutions that bring neighbors together — places of worship, community centers and services organizations — should never have to choose between their mission and basic security,” Frankel said. “It’s in all our interests to keep these locations protected.”

Frankel worked with state Sen. Jay Costa after the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting to create the grant program.

A partial list of Jewish organizations that were awarded funding include the Aleph Institute, Community Day School, Congregations Beth Shalom, Dor Hadash, Poale Zedeck, the Lubavitch Center, Chabad of Carnegie Mellon University and Squirrel Hill, Our Giving Kitchen, Rodef Shalom Congregation and The Tree of Life.

Over the past five years, the PCCD has provided more than $886 million in funding through nearly 6,000 grants across Pennsylvania to address violence. Shapiro’s proposed 2026-27 budget invests $68.3 million for the Violence Intervention and Prevention program and $12.5 million for the Building Opportunity through Out of School Time program. PJC

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.