Extreme Mortman has been tracking the $25 million allocated annually from homeland security funding for nonprofits.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports:

Most of the 2005 funds were allocated to Jewish groups seeking protection at synagogues, schools and community centers. Until this summer, the Homeland Security Department had held up allocation of the 2006 funds, saying it preferred to save them for actual instead of potential threats.

Following meetings among Jewish lobbyists, department officials and the staff of the relevant Senate appropriations subcommittee, however, officials now say they expect the department to disburse the 2006 funds and both houses of Congress to agree to appropriate $25 million for 2007.

“We have had very productive conversations with the Department of Homeland Security,” said William Daroff, vice president for public policy of the United Jewish Communities, the federations umbrella that, together with the Orthodox Union, has led lobbying for the funds. “We are in a pretty upbeat position with legislative and administration support. Now it’s a matter of getting through the endgame.”