Trending...
- "They Said It Was Impossible": This Bottle Turns Any Freshwater Source Into Ice-Cold, Purified Drinking Water in Seconds
- Excel Signworks Introduces Custom Lobby Signs to Help Pittsburgh Businesses Elevate First Impressions in 2026
- Deep Learning Robotics (DLRob) Announces Pre-Launch of Zero-Teach and Teach-by-Demonstration Technology for Kitting Applications
With hate making a comeback around the nation and here in Pennsylvania over the past two years, Governor Tom Wolf announced today $4.5 million in new funding for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's (PCCD) Non-Profit Security Grant Program that provides funding to churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other non-profit organizations which face bias and are targets of hate crimes.
"Hate has no place here in Pennsylvania. But unfortunately, we've seen an alarming uptick in hate crimes across the commonwealth. These bias incidents tear communities apart," said Gov. Wolf. "It is my hope that Pennsylvanians will rise up against hate, that we will unite to scorch the bias and prejudice that hurts groups or individuals solely because of their race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. We unfortunately cannot rely on humanity alone, which is why I'm making this $4.5 million available for non-profit organizations to protect themselves."
The $4.5 million in new funding for the program is available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
According to data from the Pennsylvania State Police Uniform Crime Reporting System, hate crimes have increased exponentially in Pennsylvania over the past two years. From 2016 through 2019, Pennsylvania saw an average of 88 hate crimes annually. In 2020, incidents of hate crimes rose by 33% to 111. Just this past year in 2021, there was a shocking 97% increase to 219 crimes. These increases in Pennsylvania are not an anomaly, states across the nation are seeing the same increases as politics and opinions wedge a divide across the United States. While these numbers and increases are alarming, it's important to note that hate crimes are also overwhelmingly underreported. At one point, the U.S. Department of Justice estimated that nearly two-thirds of hate crimes are never reported.
More on The PennZone
"The Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition is grateful to Gov. Wolf, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic and Republican Caucuses and the House of Representatives' Democratic Caucus for their cooperative efforts to continue funding this program with the goal of keeping our religious and communal facilities safe from acts of violence and hate," said Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition Chairman Marc Zucker. "As demonstrated so tragically in the Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh and most recently by the hostage incident at the Beth Israel synagogue in Texas, there is a clear demand for protecting such institutions and those who worship there."
PCCD's Non-Profit Security Grant Program administers funding to non-profit organizations which serve individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI's Hate Crime Statistics publication. Applicants will be eligible to apply for awards ranging from $5,000 to $150,000 for security enhancements that will protect the safety and security of their membership.
"Temples, mosques, churches, and community centers are people's spiritual homes and spaces providing people with a sense of belonging and safety, but unfortunately these places are targets of hate crimes," said Executive Director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, Stephanie Sun. "Pennsylvania was originally founded as a sanctuary for religious freedom and tolerance. Throughout the history of Pennsylvania, the commonwealth has been a leader in acceptance and tolerance of all people no matter their beliefs or origin. Gov. Wolf honors this heritage by continuing to prioritize protection for groups that face discrimination and bias, and is determined to fight against any type of hate crimes."
More on The PennZone
The solicitation period to submit applications for this funding will begin next week. Visit PCCD's Nonprofit Security Grant Program webpage for more information about the program.
SHARE Email Facebook Twitter
"Hate has no place here in Pennsylvania. But unfortunately, we've seen an alarming uptick in hate crimes across the commonwealth. These bias incidents tear communities apart," said Gov. Wolf. "It is my hope that Pennsylvanians will rise up against hate, that we will unite to scorch the bias and prejudice that hurts groups or individuals solely because of their race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. We unfortunately cannot rely on humanity alone, which is why I'm making this $4.5 million available for non-profit organizations to protect themselves."
The $4.5 million in new funding for the program is available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
According to data from the Pennsylvania State Police Uniform Crime Reporting System, hate crimes have increased exponentially in Pennsylvania over the past two years. From 2016 through 2019, Pennsylvania saw an average of 88 hate crimes annually. In 2020, incidents of hate crimes rose by 33% to 111. Just this past year in 2021, there was a shocking 97% increase to 219 crimes. These increases in Pennsylvania are not an anomaly, states across the nation are seeing the same increases as politics and opinions wedge a divide across the United States. While these numbers and increases are alarming, it's important to note that hate crimes are also overwhelmingly underreported. At one point, the U.S. Department of Justice estimated that nearly two-thirds of hate crimes are never reported.
More on The PennZone
- Arbutus Medical Raises C$9.3M to Accelerate Growth of Surgical Workflow Solutions Outside the OR
- From Sleepless Nights to Sold-Out Drops: Catch Phrase Poet's First Year Redefining Motivational Urban Apparel
- Now Live on Kickstarter: The Bottle That Chills and Purifies Any Freshwater — and Donates One for Every 10 Backers
- How Specialized Game Development Services Are Powering the Next Wave of Interactive Entertainment
- Brain Drain Unlimited Strengthens Legal Advocacy with Advanced Training from Villanova University
"The Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition is grateful to Gov. Wolf, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic and Republican Caucuses and the House of Representatives' Democratic Caucus for their cooperative efforts to continue funding this program with the goal of keeping our religious and communal facilities safe from acts of violence and hate," said Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition Chairman Marc Zucker. "As demonstrated so tragically in the Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh and most recently by the hostage incident at the Beth Israel synagogue in Texas, there is a clear demand for protecting such institutions and those who worship there."
PCCD's Non-Profit Security Grant Program administers funding to non-profit organizations which serve individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI's Hate Crime Statistics publication. Applicants will be eligible to apply for awards ranging from $5,000 to $150,000 for security enhancements that will protect the safety and security of their membership.
"Temples, mosques, churches, and community centers are people's spiritual homes and spaces providing people with a sense of belonging and safety, but unfortunately these places are targets of hate crimes," said Executive Director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, Stephanie Sun. "Pennsylvania was originally founded as a sanctuary for religious freedom and tolerance. Throughout the history of Pennsylvania, the commonwealth has been a leader in acceptance and tolerance of all people no matter their beliefs or origin. Gov. Wolf honors this heritage by continuing to prioritize protection for groups that face discrimination and bias, and is determined to fight against any type of hate crimes."
More on The PennZone
- Don't Settle for a Lawyer Who Just Speaks Spanish. Demand One Who Understands Your Story
- Dan Williams Promoted to Century Fasteners Corp. – General Manager, Operations
- Ski Johnson Inks Strategic Deals with Three Major Food Chain Brands
- NIL Club Advances Agent-Free NIL Model as Oversight Intensifies Across College Athletics
- Pallet Company Partners with Internet Marketing Company
The solicitation period to submit applications for this funding will begin next week. Visit PCCD's Nonprofit Security Grant Program webpage for more information about the program.
SHARE Email Facebook Twitter
0 Comments
Latest on The PennZone
- Dave Aronberg Named 2026 John C. Randolph Award Recipient by Palm Beach Fellowship of Christians & Jews
- General Relativity Challenged by New Tension Discovered in Dark Siren Cosmology
- Burkentine Real Estate Group to Bring A New Community to Millersville, Pennsylvania
- Unseasonable Warmth Triggers Early Pest Season Along I-5 Corridor
- VIP Vacations Named Winner in 2026 WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards®
- Colonial Nissan Champions Community Service and Trust Across the Greater Philadelphia Region
- Bug Busters Expands Service Footprint With New Carrollton, Georgia Branch
- Why KULR Could Be a Quiet Enabler of Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) Over The Long Term: KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NY SE American: KULR)
- Why Finland Had No Choice But to Legalize Online Gambling
- High-Margin Energy & Digital Infrastructure Platform Created after Merger with Established BlockFuel Energy, Innovation Beverage Group (NAS DAQ: IBG)
- iFLO Pro Launches Its Groundbreaking iFLO Pro Mini At The 2026 AHR Expo In Las Vegas
- TL International Group Becomes First Global Operator to Fully Migrate to Pulsant's Dedicated Car Rental Cloud
- Diveroli Investment Group Files 13D in PetMed Express, Highlights Strategic Value, Asset Floor, and Multiple Takeover Pathways
- Excel Signworks Introduces Custom Lobby Signs to Help Pittsburgh Businesses Elevate First Impressions in 2026
- Deep Learning Robotics (DLRob) Announces Pre-Launch of Zero-Teach and Teach-by-Demonstration Technology for Kitting Applications
- The Quasar Dipole Phenomenon is likely just a complex systematics artifact
- The Rise of Comprehensive Home Water Treatment Systems
- Yazaki Innovations to Introduce First-Ever Prefabricated Home Wiring System to U.S. Residential Market in 2026
- Bisnar Chase Named 2026 Law Firm of the Year by Best Lawyers
- Ace Industries Welcomes Jack Polish as Controller