Grant Opportunity: Up to $100K for Indiana School Safety Upgrades

Creating a safe learning environment for students and staff is more urgent than ever. Fortunately, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is offering financial support through its FY26 Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG) program—a key opportunity for Indiana schools to strengthen safety measures through personnel, training, equipment, and more.

If you're a school administrator, safety officer, or nonprofit school leader, here’s what you need to know—and how Exousia can walk alongside you every step of the way.

What Is the Indiana Secured School Safety Grant?

The SSSG is a competitive, matching grant that helps Indiana schools fund various safety and preparedness initiatives. Since 2013, this program has awarded more than $187 million to enhance school security across the state.

Funding Focus Areas Include:

• Hiring school resource officers (SROs) or law enforcement

• Conducting site vulnerability assessments

• Purchasing emergency communication systems, cameras, and panic buttons

• Providing mental health training, self-defense, or threat assessment training

• Installing security infrastructure like door locks and access control

• Developing active event warning systems and medical response kits

• Supporting canine units for detection and deterrence

  
  

Who Is Eligible for the Indiana School Safety Grant Opportunity?

You can apply if you are:

• A public school corporation

• An accredited non-public school

• A charter school or a coalition of schools

  
  

Applicants must also:

• Be in a county with a County School Safety Commission

• Have completed a site vulnerability assessment

• Maintain a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a community mental health provider

  
  

If you're unsure whether your school qualifies, Exousia can help you assess eligibility!

How to Apply

Step 1: Register in IntelliGrants

This is the portal used to apply and manage your award. All applicants must be active suppliers and bidders in the State of Indiana system.

Step 2: Complete the Application Between June 2 and June 30, 2025

You must submit the full application by June 30 at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Step 3: Prepare Required Documents

• Completed site vulnerability assessments for each school building

• Signed MOU with a mental health provider

• Signed MOU with the county sheriff’s office (if requesting an active event warning system)

• Detailed, itemized budget (with both grant and match funds)

  
  

Step 4: Submit Performance Metrics and Reports

Recipients must provide three financial progress reports and a final program report by September 30, 2026.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Each school may request up to $100,000, with the required match amount based on school size and amount requested.

ADM (Enrollment)	Request Amount	Match Required
≤ 500	≤ $35,000	25%
≤ 500	$35K–$50K	50%
≤ 500	> $50,000	100%
> 1,000	Any amount	100%

The match can be made in cash or in-kind (personnel, services, etc.).

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Strong applications will:

• Clearly identify your school’s most urgent safety needs using vulnerability data

• Tie each request to one or more of the program’s nine priority funding areas

• Set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound

• Include a complete, balanced budget with match calculations

• Use evidence-based practices for training or programming

• Rank your funding priorities in case full funding isn't granted

  
  

Don’t forget—grants that focus on training, collaboration with local law enforcement, or student mental health are especially compelling.

How Exousia Can Help

Applying for grants like the SSSG can be time-consuming and overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be.

Exousia specializes in grant research, proposal development, and administrative preparation for schools and nonprofits. Here's how we can support your application:

✅ Eligibility Screening – We confirm whether your school qualifies and identify key documentation needs.

✅ Custom Grant Strategy – We outline which areas to apply under and how to maximize your request.

✅ Narrative & Budget Development – We help you write a compelling story and create a complete, match-ready budget.

✅ Deadline Management – We keep everything on track so your application is submitted before the June 30 deadline.

✅ Post-Award Support – Need help reporting outcomes or tracking funds? We’re here for that too.

Important Dates at a Glance

Milestone	Date
Application Opens	June 2, 2025 (8:00 AM EDT)
Application Deadline	June 30, 2025 (4:30 PM EDT)
Performance Period Begins	September 1, 2025
Grant Period Ends	August 31, 2026
Final Reports Due	September 30, 2026

Ready to Apply?

The FY26 Secured School Safety Grant is a golden opportunity for Indiana schools to make meaningful investments in student safety, wellness, and emergency preparedness.

Don’t let the application process hold you back.

👉 Contact Exousia today to schedule a free consultation.

Let’s build safer schools—together.