Hate crimes have seen a sharp incline in the country in recent years, be it either from the Israel-Hamas War or other factors like nationalism.

According to a report released by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, seven of the nation's 10 largest cities had significant jumps in hate crimes last year.

That's why the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has approved $19 million in a variety of grants that would help more than 90 nonprofit organizations protect themselves against hate crimes - this includes on school district in Mercer County.

According to a news release from the PCCD, the Shenango Valley Catholic School System has received $98,900 from the commission's Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

While it's not clear what the system will use the grant for at this time, the money can specifically be used for security and safety planning and training; safety and security equipment; upgrades for existing structures that enhance safety and vulnerability and threat assessments.

“These grants will provide critical support for safety and security improvements for local nonprofits across the Commonwealth," said PCCD Chair Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. "We also recognize the challenge many communities and organizations are facing with recruiting new law enforcement officers, and the grants approved today will address that challenge.”

Organizations that qualify for this grant include churches, synagogues and mosques, community centers serving a group of people that could be targeted for hate crime incidents. The category is based on the FBI's hate crime statistics, according to the PCCD.

This is the sixth cohort of Nonprofit Security Grant Program awards approved by PCCD. The organizations announced today join 488 entities that have received nearly $20 million total in funding since 2020. 

Based on reported data of the number of people who visit these facilities, is estimated that approximately four million people across the Commonwealth have been impacted by this funding to date.