Supreme Court Approves Grants to Support Civil Legal Services for Low-Income Iowans

The Iowa Supreme Court has approved $1,226,592 in grants to non-profit programs that provide legal assistance to low-income Iowans with civil legal problems. The court awarded grants to fourteen different organizations throughout Iowa. The grants are funded by the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account (IOLTA) program. With this year's grants, the supreme court has awarded more than $30 million in IOLTA grants since the program began on July 1, 1985.

IOLTA grant funds are generated entirely from interest earned on certain pooled trust accounts held by Iowa lawyers. Lawyers practicing law in Iowa are required to deposit clients' funds the lawyers hold in interest-bearing accounts. When the funds involved are so small in amount or held for such a brief period of time that it is not possible for the funds to economically benefit the individual client, court rules require that lawyers deposit the funds in pooled interest-bearing trust accounts.

The IOLTA program is managed by a seven-member commission that reviews grant applications and then makes award recommendations to the supreme court. In the 41-year history of the IOLTA program, the supreme court has awarded most of the grants to organizations that assist low-income Iowans with civil legal problems such as divorce, domestic abuse, unsafe housing, and illegal evictions. The court has also presented grants to law-related education projects. IOLTA grants do not support criminal legal defense.

The following grants will be awarded for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027:

Iowa Legal Aid (Des Moines)-$487,400

For legal staff in Iowa Legal Aid regional offices for an established program of civil legal assistance to low-income Iowans (service area: statewide).

Muscatine Legal Services (Muscatine)-$25,000

For legal staff to maintain an existing program of civil legal assistance to low-income residents (service area: Muscatine County).

Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (Des Moines)-$78,750

For staff of a volunteer lawyer referral service in Polk County serving low-income residents (service area: Polk County).

Civil Legal Assistance Fund, Second Judicial District (Mason City)-$7,500

For civil legal assistance to low-income parents and children involved in dissolution of marriage or modification cases (service area: Second Judicial District).

Iowa Legal Aid Legal Hotline (Des Moines)-$72,800

For legal staff support for the Legal Hotline for Older Iowans (service area: statewide).

Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Des Moines)-$100,000

For legal services to low-income individuals involved in immigration-law matters (service area: statewide).

Kids First Law Center (Cedar Rapids)-$54,180

For legal services to children in high-conflict divorce and custody cases (service area: Linn and Johnson counties).

Civil Legal Assistance Fund, Third Judicial District (Sioux City)-$3,000

For civil legal assistance to low-income parents and children involved in dissolution of marriage or modification cases (service area: Third Judicial District).

Legal Aid Society of Story County (Ames)-$85,000

Funds legal services in civil case assistance to low-income residents (service area: Story County).

Iowa Center for Children's Justice (Des Moines)-$25,000

Funds legal services to children in high-conflict divorce and custody cases (service area: Polk and Dallas counties).

Appanoose County Bar Association (Centerville)-$20,500

Funds civil legal assistance for economically disadvantaged Iowans (service area: Appanoose, Monroe, Davis, and Wayne counties).

World Relief Quad Cities (Davenport)-$25,000

Funds legal services to low-income immigrants and refugees in immigration law matters (service area: Scott, Muscatine, Lee, and Henry counties).

ISBA Mock Trial Program (Des Moines)-$25,000

For venue rental and hosting costs for junior and senior high school mock trial programs (service area: statewide).

Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (Des Moines)-$100,000

For civil legal services and advocacy to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, focusing on removing legal barriers related to safety, housing, and family stability (service area: statewide).

Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa (Iowa City)-$33,864

For mediation services, education, and dispute resolution resources to primarily low-income and self-represented parties in family law and small claims matters within the Sixth Judicial District (service area: Sixth Judicial District).

Immigrant Connection of Northwest Iowa (Sioux Center)-$30,600

For low-cost immigration legal services through DOJ-accredited representatives to low-income individuals in rural northwest Iowa (service area: Sioux County).

Disability Rights Iowa (Des Moines)-$40,248

For statewide legal representation and advocacy for individuals with disabilities, focusing on protecting civil rights, ensuring access to education, and promoting community integration (service area: statewide).

Tapestry Farms (Davenport)-$12,750

For a DOJ-recognized immigration legal services program that assists refugees and asylum seekers with applications for lawful status, work authorization, and citizenship (service area: Scott County).

For further information contact:

Office of Professional Regulation

Judicial Branch Building
1111 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
Telephone: (515) 348-4670