19 WMass nonprofit agencies vulnerable to hate crimes receive safety grants

A predominantly Black church burned down in a hate crime, a medical center specializing in transgender care and multiple Jewish organizations in Western Massachusetts are among 167 nonprofit groups that have received state grants to help them improve security.

The $4.9 million in grants, announced on Tuesday by Gov. Maura Healey, are designed specifically to help organizations that are the most vulnerable to hate crimes, said Renee Algarin, spokeswoman for the governor.

"With the current climate in America now, a lot of places of faith have been looked at in a different light," said state Rep. Bud L. Williams, D-Springfield. "It is important. We need to protect our faith-based institutions."

The federal government is cutting grants and "declared war" on nonprofit agencies, especially in liberal states like Massachusetts. Williams said he is proud of Healey, legislation and other state leaders for helping to protect the organizations.

In Springfield since 2008, Williams said two historically Black churches have been set on fire in hate crimes, leaving them heavily damaged or destroyed.

Several others also have faced threats of crimes, such as the Mount Zion Baptist Church, which received $10,138 for security upgrades. It runs the Dunbar Community Center, offering multiple sports programs for inner city youth.

One of those churches, the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church, which reopened in December five years after it was heavily damaged in an arson fire, received a $16,500 grant to install additional security equipment.

The church had earlier received a similar grant for security equipment. The new one will help complete the installation of cameras and other tools needed to enhance safety, said the Rev. Terrlyn Curry Avery, pastor of the church.

Because the church was under construction, some of the past applications for security grants were not accepted, because the money had to be used in a certain time, and it was difficult to ensure that while building was ongoing, she said.

The church also applied for money for security personnel, but those grants were fewer and more competitive, so it did not receive them.

Still, Curry Avery said she is grateful the state is making the money available, not only for her church but also to prevent others from experiencing the same trauma her church members did.

"Who knows the mind of the perpetrator? I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It could happen to anyone. We are not immune to tragedy," she said.

A total of 327 organizations applied for the grants, which were divided into two categories, one to make improvements or add equipment to enhance safety and the other to pay security guards. A total of 19 nonprofit groups in Western Massachusetts received the grants.

The grants range from $4,600 to nearly $50,000. In Western Massachusetts, recipients are in Springfield, Northampton, Westfield, Holyoke, Greenfield, Belchertown, North Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington.

In Springfield, six organizations received a total of $163,325 in grants to improve security, said state Sen. Adam Gomez, D-Springfield.

"Nonprofits and faith-based organizations play a vital role in supporting families and strengthening our communities, and they deserve to operate without fear of violence or intimidation," Gomez said. "These grants will help organizations in Springfield and across the commonwealth take meaningful steps to protect their staff, members, and facilities. At a time when many communities face rising threats and hate incidents, investing in safety ensures that people can gather, worship, and access services with confidence."

The majority of recipients are religious organizations that run the spectrum from Muslim centers and Christian schools to Jewish temples and African Methodist Episcopal churches.

But other organizations also have been included in the funding, including the YMCA of Greater Westfield and Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity and Transhealth medical center, both in Northampton.

In 2026, Transhealth officials budgeted $200,000 alone to fund safety needs, including digital and cyber security. In the last three years, the center has spent a collective $250,000 to protect staff and clients, said Mel DeSilva, vice president of development and external affairs.

The organization received a $35,000 grant that will be used to install some additional security cameras and make other improvements, especially in the community room, DeSilva said.

Center officials know they have to be proactive with security, since hate rhetoric against transgender Americans continues to grow, including from the federal government. Studies show that 70% of health care providers who serve trans youth have faced harassment and threats.

The organization has never received direct funding from the federal government but is fortunate to be in a state where it can get financial assistance, as well as support from the governor, legislators and many neighbors, DeSilva said.

"It is so important. Every dollar we spend on security is money we are not spending on patient care," DeSilva said, adding it is frustrating the agency has to install bulletproof glass just to ensure people can receive health care.

The Springfield Jewish Community Center received a $40,000 award that is earmarked to help the organization pay for security guards.

"In recent years, we have had an uptick of antisemitism and antisemitic incidents across the country," said Karen Jarmoc, chief executive officer for the Jewish Community Center.

The grant helps defray the costs of providing security officers on the campus during all operating hours, which is vital for the organization to ensure all staff and center users are safe, she said.

"It is very necessary. We value our members of all ages and need to protect their safety," Jarmoc said.

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