New Cybersecurity Grant for Omaha and Council Bluffs Nonprofits

Nonprofits can apply between now and August 1 for $4,500 toward cybersecurity services 

American PCS, a leader in IT support and cybersecurity services in the Council Bluffs and Omaha Metro area since 2010, is proud to announce $50,000 in grant funding for local nonprofit organizations. This initiative underscores American PCS’ commitment to enhancing cybersecurity measures for organizations with limited resources. 

Cybersecurity Grant Details:

  • Maximum grant available per nonprofit organization: $4,500
  • Total of $50,000 is available for Iowa and/or Nebraska nonprofits
  • Applications can be submitted between now and August 1, 2024

Nonprofit organizations are common targets for cybercriminals, the second most targeted sector by nation-state attacks. The impact of these cyber attacks is profound, with the average downtime after a ransomware attack being 22 days, which can lead to identity theft, reputational damage and financial losses. Many of these attacks are preventable. The goal of this new grant is to help nonprofits identify vulnerabilities, build more robust cybersecurity measures and implement solutions to protect themselves and the data they keep.

“Our local nonprofits do so much to support the people of our community, and it’s imperative that they are protected from bad actors who might try to exploit their vulnerabilities,” said Nate Roane, President and CEO of American PCS. 

“We are committed to supporting these organizations by providing them with the resources they need to strengthen their cybersecurity posture and continue their valuable work without the fear of digital threats.”

Roane committed to funding this grant after seeing a recent example of a local nonprofit attack. "We learned recently that a well-respected nonprofit in Omaha, with over 200 employees, was attacked. After several weeks, we understand they are still not in operation. Their ongoing struggle to recover has been upsetting to see." 

American PCS has worked with nonprofits in the area since 2010 to ensure they are not victims of attacks like these. They also understand the financial challenges that organizations face.

“We realize nonprofits may not always be able to allocate funds for expenses not directly tied to their services - expenses like cybersecurity services. But we want to help avert these incidents, and we know that establishing this $50,000 grant fund will help protect cyberattacks like ransomware and malware.” 

There are many tools that can strengthen an organization's defenses against potential attacks. Penetration testing is one tool. Standard penetration testing services, which identify gaps in an organization's cybersecurity defenses, typically start at $6,500. With this grant, the total cost for a penetration test for a nonprofit is reduced to $2,000. Additionally, the awarded funds can be used for other cybersecurity services, beyond pen testing, based on the specific needs of the nonprofit.

The application window is now open and runs through August 1. Grant recipients will be selected based on the demonstrated need and potential impact of the enhanced cybersecurity measures on their operations. To apply, visit https://www.american-pcs.com/grants/.