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Safeguard Bollard

Federal Safety Grants for Security Bollards

Protecting students, staff, customers, and visitors is a top priority for schools, municipalities, and organizations across the Midwest. Fortunately, a variety of federal safety and security grant programs can help fund physical security improvements, including the installation of crash-rated security bollards. Safeguard Bollards works with customers throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Colorado to identify funding opportunities and implement compliant safety solutions that strengthen perimeter protection.


Navigating grant requirements can be complex, but our team understands the standards and specifications required for federally funded security projects. Whether you're seeking funding for a school campus, government facility, nonprofit organization, or other public space, we can help you select the right bollard solution and ensure your project aligns with program guidelines. Explore the federal grant opportunities below to learn how funding may be available for your security upgrades. Contact us today for more information.

Key Federal Programs

  • School Safety Enhancement (SSE) Program – Department of Education

    • Purpose: Supports State Educational Agencies (SEAs) in developing, implementing, and strengthening statewide school safety systems and physical security.

    • Funding: Estimated $93 million for FY 2026, with 30 awards expected U.S. Department of Education.

    • Eligibility: SEAs; local educational agencies (LEAs) can apply as subrecipients.

    • Uses: Infrastructure security upgrades, emergency response planning, training, and preparedness exercises U.S. Department of Education.

    • Deadline: July 28, 2026 U.S. Department of Education.

  • Safe and Supportive Schools Grants – Department of Education

    Programs include:

    • School Emergency Management Grant Program – Improves state capacity to train LEAs in emergency operations planning.
    • Project Prevent – Violence prevention and mitigation in communities affected by violence.
    • School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) – Short-term services after violent events U.S. Department of Education.

    Eligibility: LEAs, IHEs, and sometimes SEAs depending on program.

  • STOP School Violence Program – Department of Justice (Bureau of Justice Assistance)

    • Focus: Prevention-oriented activities (not hardware).

    • Uses: Threat assessment teams, anonymous reporting systems, climate improvement, staff/student training legalclarity.org.

    • Eligibility: State/local governments, nonprofits, and LEAs.

  • School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) – Department of Justice (COPS Office)

    • Focus: Hardware and technology for security.

    • Uses: Metal detectors, locks, lighting, cameras, panic buttons, duress alarms legalclarity.org.

    • Eligibility: Law enforcement agencies, school districts, boards, and tribal governments.

    • Match: 25% local cash match; waived for microgrants legalclarity.org.

  • Homeland Security Grant Program – Department of Homeland Security (FEMA)

    • Purpose: Supports state/local preparedness against terrorism and other threats.

    • Includes: State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Homeland Security.

    • Eligibility: States, localities, tribes; schools may receive funds via state-level distribution.

  • Nonprofit Security Grant Program – Department of Homeland Security (FEMA)

    • Purpose: Physical security enhancements for nonprofits, including K–12 schools Homeland Security.

    • Uses: Hardening facilities, security systems, training.

How to Access These Grants

  • Schools/LEAs: Apply directly to the Department of Education for SSE, Safe and Supportive Schools, STOP, and SVPP.
  • States/Tribes: Apply to DHS/FEMA for Homeland Security and Nonprofit Security grants; then subaward to local entities.
  • Tip: Use the SchoolSafety.gov Grants Finder Tool to search by need (e.g., threat assessment, cybersecurity, emergency planning) and filter by award amount and effort level SchoolSafety.gov



Application Tips

  • Review each program’s eligibility and use restrictions (e.g., SVPP cannot fund hiring armed officers).
  • Ensure compliance with match requirements and documentation rules.
  • Start early—some deadlines are in the next year.
  • Consider combining prevention (STOP) and security (SVPP) funding for a comprehensive approach.


For the most current opportunities, check SchoolSafety.gov, Grants.gov, and each agency’s official site before applying.