By Bob Katzen

  The Healey Administration announced nearly $5 million in grants to support more than 100 nonprofit organizations ,at high risk of hate crimes or terror attacks, by enhancing their security. 

  The announcement follows the release of the 2023 Hate Crime Report for Massachusetts by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The report documented 557 hate crime reports statewide —a 26.6 percent increase from 440 in 2022. As in previous years, the most common bias motivation in 2023 was based on race, ethnicity or national origin, accounting for 45.1 percent of all incidents. Anti-Jewish offenses which rose from 70 in 2022 to 119 in 2023 saw the sharpest increase. 

  “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. 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.”