Moore-Miller Administration Announces $10 Million in FY27 Protection Against Hate Crimes Grants to Support Maryland's Vulnerable Communities
Updated:
116 organizations across 16 counties to receive funding for security personnel, facility hardening, and emergency preparedness
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Moore and the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP) today announced $10 million in State Fiscal Year 2027 Protection Against Hate Crimes (PAHC) grant awards to more than 100 nonprofit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers across 16 Maryland counties and Baltimore City.
The awards will fund security guards, access control systems, surveillance cameras, facility hardening, emergency communication systems, and staff training designed to protect Marylanders who are frequently targeted because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability status.
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Gov. Moore. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special."
This year's recipients reflect the broad spectrum of communities the PAHC program was created to protect — synagogues, mosques, LGBTQ+ community organizations, and much more. Awards ranged from targeted equipment upgrades for small congregations to sophisticated, multi-layered security enhancements for large institutions serving thousands of Marylanders each week.
“People want to feel safe when they gather to worship or participate in community activities. When a violent actor targets people because of their race or religion– it destabilizes our sense of security,” said GOCPP Executive Director Dorothy Lennig. “That is why our PAHC grant funding is so sought after. It is a tangible way to reclaim that sense of safety for our grantees and those that they serve.”
Each year, houses of worship and community organizations serving vulnerable communities apply for funding to pay for armed security; harden doors and windows; install cameras and lights; and upgrade security systems with lockdown features that protect against active shooters. This $10 million investment demonstrates the administration’s deep commitment to ensuring all Marylanders feel safe wherever they choose to gather.
The grant has enabled grant recipient Grace Gospel Worship Center in Clinton, Md to install several important security enhancements throughout its facility, including video surveillance systems, an intrusion detection system, an intercom system, and card-reader access controls.
“Grace Gospel Worship Center is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who enters our facility,” said Grace Gospel Administrator Rick Johnson. “We are grateful for the support provided through the State of Maryland grant, which allows us to strengthen our security measures and take proactive steps toward protecting our staff, members, visitors, and community.”
“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve… at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” said Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security—it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”
“We are grateful to Governor Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy for their commitment to protecting faith-based communities across Maryland. This grant funding will allow our Congregation to make important security enhancements that will help protect our congregants, students, staff, and the thousands of people who spend time on our campus,” said Rabbi Dana Saroken Senior Rabbi at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. “This investment affirms the Governor’s commitment to ensure that people of all religions can participate in religious life without fear of attacks or danger and that congregants, of all ages, who come to our synagogue to gather, learn, pray, and celebrate their Judaism will be protected and safe. We are incredibly grateful.”
Maryland has awarded PAHC funding annually since the program's inception in 2019 to help organizations across the state respond to a sustained increase in hate crimes and bias incidents targeting religious, racial, and other protected communities. This investment builds on the Moore-Miller Administration's broader public safety agenda, which prioritizes prevention alongside enforcement.
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