Legal Services Corporation awards $4.75 million in pro bono grants

Legal Services Corporation announced in August that it is awarding Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4.75 million to 15 legal aid organizations. These grants support new, robust pro bono partnerships through collaboration and innovation.

“Meeting the vast legal needs of low-income Americans is a tough job for legal aid providers with limited resources,” said LSC President Ron Flagg. “Engaging pro bono attorneys and volunteers adds a powerful network that multiplies the impact of these organizations.”

The funded projects focus on establishing community partnerships, deploying technology in new ways and better recruiting and collaborating with private attorneys.

One recipient, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, will use this funding to support the Justice in Schools Program, which will engage volunteers from the East St. Louis School District and volunteer attorneys to provide civil legal services to students’ families.

Michigan Advocacy Program will use its grant to create a Legal Navigator Program that will increase access to criminal record expungements for low-income residents of South-Central Michigan.
Several members of Congress congratulated legal services providers in their states on receiving this funding.

“How much money you make shouldn’t determine whether you have fair representation in court,” said Senator Sherrod Brown. “These funds for the Legal aid Society of Cleveland and Community Aid Legal Services will help ensure all Ohioans have the representation they need to protect their rights against debt collectors, banks, and landlords trying to evict them.”

“Justice should never be pay-to-play, but all too often access to legal assistance can be out of reach for my constituents,” said Rep. Troy Carter (LA-2). “I’m grateful that the Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) is receiving funds from LSC to increase their capacity to help achieve justice for vulnerable tenants through their Pro Bono Security Deposit Theft Project. These funds will directly help struggling tenants impacted by the pandemic and recent storms receive the security deposits they are rightfully owed.”

Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP) was awarded $320,906 and will use the grant to increase access to criminal record expungements for low-income residents of South-Central Michigan.

The project will create a Legal Navigator online program that engages non-attorney administrative volunteers to efficiently address the burdensome administrative tasks required for clients to apply for criminal records expungements. The Legal Navigator program will include partnerships with paralegal training programs, law schools and community groups. In addition, the project staff will work with existing MAP staff and volunteers to identify areas to engage in appellate or strategic advocacy in the implementation of the state’s new expungement laws.

LSC is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The corporation currently provides funding to 132 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. For additional information, visit www.lsc.gov.