Overview

• ECA “Secure Your Space” Mini Awards provide fastening straps, putty, cabinet latches, and similar items for improving earthquake safety in non-profit workplaces, schools, and other locations across California.
   
• The program is supported with funding from FEMA’s National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), which funds the Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC), headquartered at USC) to administer ECA activities.
   
• Selected applicants will be sent an order form to request up to $500 in fastening materials, and an agreement form to sign. The order form includes items from Ready America or Safe-T-Proof (which have provided discounted pricing).
   
• Requested items will then be purchased and shipped by mid-September.
   
• Mini award recipients must complete all installations by December 5, then complete a survey and submit photos by December 12.

 
Eligible Applicants

• Any not-for-profit organization (government agency, school, non-profit, faith-based organization, neighborhood association, etc.) in California may propose a fastening project that improves earthquake safety in their workplace or other locations.
• The application must specify a project manager who must be an Earthquake Country Alliance member (join for free at EarthquakeCountry.org/join).
   
• Selected applicants must confirm full support for the project by their organization’s leadership who will co-sign an agreement form with the project manager.

Download our Step 1: Secure Your Space document for instructions on how to prevent items from falling during earthquakes (available in 15 languages).

 
Eligible Items

• 2025 Mini Award Projects must be focused on installing straps, putty, cabinet latches, and other fasteners to “Secure Your Space” including those described in the document at right. Requests for other materials or supplies (first aid supplies, radios, flashlights, etc.) are NOT eligible.
   
• Specific items available are those listed on a Mini Awards order form which will be provided to selected applicants.
   
• Purchases can be used to secure items within the applicant’s workplace, or for clients or other constituents (for example, your organization could propose to secure furniture within a senior facility, within a school, or elsewhere) – as long as all installations can be completed by December 5.

Coordination and Reporting

Approved Mini Award recipients must:

• Coordinate with ECA staff to quickly finalize award packages and to provide status updates when requested.
   
• Closely follow instructions provided with each fastening item received. Most items only take a few minutes to install; some may require a drill to bolt straps to studs within walls.
   
• Attend an online “Secure Your Space” training webinar or view a recording (suggestion: both the project manager and whoever will do the installations, if someone else).
   
• Finish installation of ALL items received by December 5.
   
• Complete a project completion survey and share photos of fastener installations (instructions will be provided) by December 12.
   
• Be willing (on request) to present a brief (3-5 minute) summary of their project at an ECA Regional Workshop in early 2026 (location and date to be determined).

Application Instructions

1. First, look around your workplace or where you will install your fasteners to determine what types you will need (see above for examples).
    
2. Once you have identified the items, consider how you will make sure the items you receive will be installed by December 5. Will you or your staff do the work, or will you hire someone?
    
3. Next, complete and submit the Online Application by July 23.
    
   • Don’t wait! The online application is very simple and is just the start of the process described above.
   • We recommend reviewing the application, typing your answers to the questions in another document, and then when ready copying them into the online form.

 
Questions?

Contact Mark Benthien, ECA Executive Director, at benthien@usc.edu.