How to Win Homeland Security Dollars from Your State

Wondering how to get your hands on some of the billions of dollars in grant programs the government hands out each year? In a new article, one expert offers his advice on how you can win those hard-earned security dollars.

In an article on the Government Technology website, Julian Gilman offers strategies to help people get the most funding possible for emergency management and homeland security programs. His tips include:

Be precise. Gilman says “potential grant recipients should develop precise investment justifications (IJ) that outline plans and timetables for their priorities under their Homeland Security Strategy (which needs to be in line with the state’s strategy).” If you’re not clear about how you will spend the money, you may end up not getting any.
The right people. Gilman recommends opening up a line of communication with the right people within the state homeland security infrastructure.
Plan ahead. Do your planning at least 12 to 13 months ahead or even beyond that. However, Gilman warns that flexibility is also important, because your priorities may shift over time.

“All of these elements affect the quality of your state’s investment/plan, or IJ, which will receive a final ‘grade’ from DHS,” Gilman says. “You’ll be awarded grant money based partly on that grade and how it compares to the needs of the other jurisdictions you are competing against.”