LSC awards $4.15M for pro bono legal services across 18 states

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WASHINGTON-The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is awarding more than $4.15 million to 20 legal services organizations across 18 states. The LSC Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF) grants will enable nonprofit legal services organizations to develop or expand efforts to engage volunteers in assisting low-income Americans with their civil legal problems.

"When your home, health or family is in jeopardy, access to legal help should not depend upon your ability to pay for it," said Ron Flagg, President of LSC. "Pro bono services amplify the impact that legal services organizations are able to have across the country for low-income Americans seeking justice."

With limited capacity and resources, legal services organizations nationwide depend upon volunteers to expand the reach of legal assistance in their local communities. Low-income Americans do not receive any or enough legal help with 92% of their civil legal problems.

Each year, LSC provides PBIF grants to organizations within its network of 129 grantees across the country. The funds support new pro bono partnerships, increased collaboration, innovation and replication of other successful projects.

Projects funded by this year's PBIF grants will strategically address major legal issues facing many communities. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services will use a $282,365 grant to expand its community-based Wills Plus Clinics to help homeowners and cancer patients create wills, powers of attorney and advance directives before disasters or health crises occur. New Mexico Legal Aid will similarly use its $275,405 grant to expand their estate-planning services.

Inland Counties Legal Services' $455,403 grant will enable the organization to launch a pro bono domestic violence restraining order project in California's Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. A $385,880 grant for Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky will support the expansion of legal assistance for disaster survivors and those preparing for future disasters. Legal Aid of East Tennessee will utilize its $395,614 award to expand its pro bono expungement and reentry program, helping more low-income Tennesseans clear their criminal records and overcome barriers to employment, housing and economic stability.

Since the PBIF grant program began in 2014, LSC has awarded 200 grants totaling more than $55 million. Funding for the PBIF program is included in LSC's congressional appropriation.

PBIF is piloting a new type of grant this year called Grantee Engagement Scholarships. These scholarships will assist nine organizations with their volunteer programs through engagement with LSC subject matter experts and peer organizations.

Members of Congress congratulated legal services organizations in their states on receiving pro bono grants.

"New Mexico Legal Aid is a lifeline for people who cannot afford legal help. This grant will help expand their services and reach more New Mexicans, especially in underserved and rural communities," said Senator Ben Ray Luján. "I'm grateful to the Legal Services Corporation for investing in New Mexico and helping ensure more people have access to the legal support they need."

"Having worked as an attorney myself, I know how difficult it can be for individuals and families to navigate the legal system, especially when it comes to accessing the benefits they depend on," said Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-2). "This $300,000 grant will help Legal Services of Long Island provide much-needed assistance to Long Islanders with disabilities and their families. I thank the Legal Services Corporation for this investment and Legal Services of Long Island for the important work they do for our communities."

"All Louisianans deserve access to legal aid, no matter their financial circumstance," said Sen. Bill Cassidy. "This grant will allow Southeast Louisiana Legal Services to expand its Wills Plus Clinics and provide legal help to cancer patients and homeowners across the state. I am proud to have helped secure this funding so legal assistance can be brought directly to Louisiana's underserved communities and help families better prepare for the unexpected."

"It's crucial that survivors of domestic violence in the Inland Empire can access high-quality and empathetic legal assistance as they navigate incredibly challenging periods in their lives," said Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33). "I'm grateful to the Legal Services Corporation for awarding this grant to Inland Counties Legal Services. This funding will expand pro bono legal services for survivors of domestic violence and ensure that attorneys have the training and skills to best represent them. I'm proud to see important programs like this get the federal support they need to ensure that no one in San Bernardino County gets left behind while navigating our legal system."

More information about the Pro Bono Innovation Fund is available here.