ANNAPOLIS Md. – Governor Wes Moore says his proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget will include $10 million for Maryland’s Protecting Against Hate Crimes Grant Program, continuing the level of funding set in the current budget year, according to information released by the governor’s office. State officials report that the grant program supports nonprofit and faith-based organizations with security improvements to guard against hate motivated threats.
The funding has assisted places of worship, historical locations, and community institutions, helping them strengthen facility protection and preparedness. According to state reporting, the grants can be used for security personnel, surveillance systems, reinforced entry points, violence prevention training, cultural awareness workshops, bystander intervention instruction, emergency planning, and active threat drills.
In Fiscal Year 2025, 81 organizations received $5 million in funding. State officials say the investment supported security training for more than 2,000 staff members, hundreds of safety assessments, and access to professional security personnel. Participants reported increased confidence in safety among more than 70,000 community members following those enhancements. The governor’s office says the continued funding reflects Maryland’s broader public safety strategy, which relies on collaboration between law enforcement, victim services, and communities facing targeted violence. The program is managed through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy as part of that effort.
Photo: Maryland.gov