DHS to Launch 'Pray Safe Act' Clearinghouse: Evidence-Based Security Tips and Grant Access for Community Centers

The new Pray Safe Act of 2025 is all about getting critical safety information and grant money into the hands of the people who run community centers, churches, mosques, temples, and other nonprofit organizations. Think of it as the federal government finally creating a single, easy-to-use resource hub for security.

This bill mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a new Federal Clearinghouse within 270 days of enactment. This Clearinghouse will be the official one-stop shop for security best practices and federal grant opportunities. For the people running these organizations—often volunteers or staff stretched thin—this means they won't have to hunt through a dozen different government websites just to figure out how to make their building safer or what funding they qualify for. The goal is to move past guesswork and provide recommendations backed by actual research, tiered by how much evidence supports them (SEC. 3).

The Security Playbook: What Works and What Doesn't

The biggest shift here is the focus on evidence-based security. The Clearinghouse won't just publish generic advice; it has to develop a tiered system for best practices. This means they’ll prioritize recommendations proven effective by strong studies, covering everything from facility hardening to disaster recovery planning. If you’re a board member trying to justify a security upgrade, you’ll now have federal data showing exactly why that new camera system or lockdown procedure is worth the investment.

Crucially, the bill requires the Clearinghouse to maintain a detailed, public index of every federal grant available for safety and security purposes. This is a game-changer for organizations with limited administrative staff. Instead of missing deadlines or overlooking programs, they’ll have direct links to applications, user guides, and clear information on what performance data they’ll need to report if they get the money. This centralized approach should smooth out the process, making it easier for a local food pantry or a small rural church to compete for funds (SEC. 3).

The Catch: Who Gets to Be 'At Risk'?

While the intent is clearly beneficial, there’s one section that introduces a bit of a gray area. The definition of a 'Nonprofit organization' eligible for the full scope of this law isn't just about being tax-exempt (501(c)(3)). It also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to officially decide that the organization is at risk of a terrorist attack or some other threat (SEC. 2).

This definition gives DHS significant discretion. We’ll need to watch closely how they define the criteria for being “at risk.” If the criteria are vague or unevenly applied, it could mean that organizations that genuinely need the resources—say, a small community center in an area prone to hate crimes—might be excluded if they don't meet an arbitrary risk threshold set by the federal government. For the person running that center, it means their eligibility hinges on a bureaucratic decision that isn't fully defined in the bill’s text.

The Four-Year Clock and Oversight

This entire system isn't permanent. The Act includes a sunset clause, meaning it will automatically expire four years after enactment (SEC. 3). This creates pressure on DHS to make the Clearinghouse effective quickly, but it also means that these resources could disappear if Congress doesn't reauthorize the program down the road. For organizations relying on this centralized resource, that four-year clock introduces uncertainty.

To keep tabs on the whole system, the bill also mandates the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to prepare a report for Congress. This report will evaluate all current federal grants and programs aimed at securing nonprofits and houses of worship. This oversight is a good thing, ensuring that Congress gets a clear picture of what the government is currently spending and whether the new Clearinghouse is actually filling the gaps it was designed to address (SEC. 4).

In short, the Pray Safe Act is a solid step toward coordinating security resources for vulnerable community groups, but the devil will be in the details—specifically, how DHS decides who is “at risk” and thus eligible for the full suite of protections and funding access.