Area schools and places of worship were among more than 100 nonprofits statewide to share in nearly $5 million in grants this week intended to prevent hate crimes and extremist attacks.
Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grants were awarded to North Parish of North Andover, $45,386, and, in Andover, Merrimack Valley Lubavitch, $75,000; St. Augustine School, $38,404; and Chinmaya Mission Boston, $30,000.
The announcement follows release of the 2023 Hate Crime Report for Massachusetts by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, which documented 557 hate crime reports statewide—a 26.6% increase from 440 in 2022. As in previous years, the state says, most common bias motivations in 2023 were based on race, ethnicity or national origin, accounting for 45.1% of all incidents. Notably, anti-Jewish offenses saw the sharpest increase, which rose from 70 in 2022 to 119 in 2023.
“These organizations offer comfort, services, community and support to those they serve. Our administration is committed to ensuring nonprofits and all who gather in these spaces are protected from hate and extremist violence,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “Everyone deserves to safely practice their chosen faith, access health care, seek services and gather in community spaces free from the threat of harm.”
Grant recipients will receive technical, grant management and reporting assistance from program coordinators assigned to the state’s Office of Grants and Research’s Homeland Security Division throughout their grant’s performance period.