NEW YORK — New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday pushed to double the state funding available to organizations threatened by hate crimes, as the state grapples with a steady stream of incidents targeting the Jewish community.

Hochul proposed an additional $35 million for nonprofit and community groups at risk of hate crimes, on top of the $35 million already available, citing tensions surrounding the Iran war, according to a statement from the governor’s office.

The funding is available to organizations at risk of hate crimes and attacks via grants provided by the state’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program, part of the state’s Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Eligible organizations can apply for grants of up to $250,000 for physical security and cybersecurity measures, such as training, locks, alarms, panic buttons, fencing and shatter-resistant glass. The deadline for applications is July 8 and the grant awards are expected to be announced in the fall, the governor’s office said.

The potential funding is part of the state’s proposed budget of around $260 billion for the 2027 fiscal year, meaning it is not yet assured. Lawmakers are negotiating the budget in the state capital, Albany, after blowing past its April 1 deadline. The budget is negotiated between the governor, the state assembly, and the state senate.

The program is not for Jewish organizations specifically, but Jews are targeted in hate crimes far more than any other group in the state.

The governor’s announcement cited statewide data released late last month showing 696 hate crimes between January and November 2025. Of that figure, 418 incidents targeted Jews, 51% of the total and an average of 1.26 antisemitic........

© The Times of Israel