Pittsburgh Review

Non-profit groups in Pennsylvania that are serving diverse communities can apply for grants to help protect them from hate crimes, Gov. Tom Wolfe announced.

"These grants work to protect Pennsylvania’s people and our heritage – the very diversity that Pennsylvania was founded on is often the target of unimaginable hate,” Wolf said in a statement. “I encourage any group that faces bias to apply, we will not tolerate hate here.”

The state has $4.5 million available for the grants through the federal American Rescue Plan. There is also $500,000 left over from last round of grants. The grants are administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).

Grants range from $5,000 to $150,000.

"Organizations can use the funds for safety and security planning and training, to purchase security equipment or technology, to upgrade existing structures that improve safety and security, or to acquire a vulnerability or threat assessment for the facility," the state said.

Applications will be accepted through March 1 and will be reviewed by a commission with representatives from PCCD, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security. Decisions will be announced in late March.

The number of hate crimes in Pennsylvania doubled from 2020 to 2021, increasing from 111 to 231, according to the state.

For questions on the grants, go to http://www.pccd.pa.gov or email RA-CD-NPSEC-GRANT@pa.gov.