New York State Funding
State Funding
New York supports school safety through bond-funded capital programs, nonpublic-school security aid, hate-crime prevention grants, safety-planning requirements, and emergency-response guidance.
Smart Schools Bond Act
SSBA
The Smart Schools Bond Act is a bond-funded reimbursement program that helps New York public school districts invest in technology, connectivity, and school safety improvements.
For school safety purposes, allowable projects may include security systems such as surveillance cameras, access-control systems, and panic alarm systems. Districts must develop and receive approval for a Smart Schools Investment Plan before receiving reimbursement.
The program is not a recurring annual grant. It is tied to each district’s approved Smart Schools Bond Act allocation and the state approval process.
Nonpublic School Safety Equipment Grant
NPSE
The Nonpublic School Safety Equipment Grant provides reimbursement funding for eligible religious and independent schools in New York.
The program supports certain school safety, security, and health-related expenses. Eligible nonpublic schools must have a valid OSC Vendor ID to receive reimbursement.
Funding may support security services, equipment, and technology, subject to program rules and available state funding. Schools should confirm current eligibility, allowable costs, and reimbursement instructions through the New York State Education Department.
2026 Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program
SCAHC
The Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program provides funding for nonprofit organizations that may be at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs, mission, or identity.
Eligible applicants may include faith-based private schools, nonprofit religious organizations, and other qualifying nonprofit organizations.
For the 2026 cycle, the program made up to $70 million available, with a maximum award of $250,000 per organization. The application deadline was July 8, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time, so this round should now be described as closed unless the state announces a new cycle.
Funding may support security improvements such as access control, surveillance, alarms, emergency communication, physical hardening, cybersecurity, security training, and other approved protective measures.
Alyssa’s Law in New York
New York enacted Alyssa’s Law through Senate Bill S7132B in 2022. The law authorizes school boards to include information about the installation of panic alarm systems when reviewing district-wide school safety plans.
A panic alarm system is defined as a silent security signal manually activated to alert law enforcement of a life-threatening or emergency situation.
Under New York’s version of the law, districts are required to consider whether panic alarm systems or similar direct communication technologies should be included in school safety planning. The law does not require every public school building to install a panic alarm system.
Panic alarm systems may include wired or wireless panic buttons, mobile applications, computer applications, or other technologies that allow school personnel to quickly notify law enforcement during an emergency.
New York SAVE Act
The Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act, commonly known as the SAVE Act, requires New York schools to maintain safety plans and take steps to support safe learning environments.
New York school safety planning addresses prevention, mitigation, protection, response, and recovery. Plans should include procedures for emergencies, communication, training, incident reporting, and coordination with appropriate safety personnel and emergency responders.
Schools may also consider how school safety officers, school resource officers, security procedures, emergency communication systems, and safety technology fit into district-wide and building-level emergency response plans.
New York State Center for School Safety
The New York State Center for School Safety provides support, resources, and technical assistance to help schools meet safety-planning expectations.
The center assists districts with school safety planning, emergency response planning, training, and implementation of SAVE Act requirements.
It may also help school leaders evaluate safety procedures, update building-level emergency response plans, and identify appropriate strategies for strengthening school security and emergency communication.
The funding information and links provided on this page are based on publicly available information at the time of publication. While we make every effort to keep this resource current and relevant, funding programs, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and website links may change over time. If you discover outdated information, inaccurate content, or a broken link, please let us know by emailing info@carehawk.com.