In a program that has benefited Jewish institutions, the Department of Homeland Security has awarded $20 million in security preparedness grants to nonprofit agencies at high risk of attacks. Six St. Louis Jewish institutions have been given a total of $370,000 in grants.

The allocations for fiscal year 2016, which were announced Wednesday by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, represent a 55 percent increase nationally over last year.

The St. Louis groups receiving grants, announced in a news release Thursday by Rep. William Lacy Clay’s office, are: 

– Central Reform Congregation – $75,000

– Congregation Temple Israel – $75,000

– Jewish Federation of St. Louis – $30,000

– Missouri Torah Institute – $75,000

– Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School – $75,000

– The Gladys & Henry Crown Center – $40,000.

Since its inception 10 years ago, the Nonprofit Security Grants Program has provided more than $164 million to Jewish schools, synagogues and other nonprofits. The money can be used for security training and improved security infrastructure.

William Daroff, senior vice president for public policy and director of the Washington office for Jewish Federations of North America, said the grants “recognize the continued risks facing the nonprofit sector, generally, and the particular threats directed towards the Jewish community, specifically.”

The Orthodox Union’s Advocacy Center and the Agudath Israel’s Washington Office advocated for the increase in security grant funds.