Cy Pres Awards: Support Access to Justice in California
Cy Pres Awards: Support Access to Justice in California
The California Access to Justice Commission (CalATJ) accepts cy pres awards and residual funds from class action settlements to support access to civil justice throughout California.
If you are an attorney, settlement administrator, or other party seeking a nonprofit recipient for cy pres funds, please consider designating CalATJ in your next class action settlement agreement.
Cy pres awards support the Commission's statewide efforts to strengthen California's civil legal aid system, expand access to legal assistance, and remove barriers to justice for Californians.
About the California Access to Justice Commission
The California Access to Justice Commission is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving access to civil justice for all Californians.
Established in 1997, CalATJ brings together leaders from the legal community, judiciary, legal aid organizations, and other sectors to address barriers to justice and improve California's civil legal aid system.
Through statewide collaboration, grantmaking, research, and innovative programs, the Commission works to expand access to legal assistance and strengthen the organizations that serve Californians facing civil legal challenges.
How Cy Pres Awards Support Our Work
By designating CalATJ as a cy pres recipient, you can support initiatives that improve access to civil justice throughout California.
Cy pres funding can help advance the Commission's work in several areas:
Strengthening California's Civil Legal Aid System
CalATJ supports initiatives that expand access to free civil legal assistance for low-income Californians and communities facing barriers to justice.
Investing in Legal Aid Organizations
Through its Infrastructure and Innovation Grants Program, the Commission administers funding that helps California legal aid organizations strengthen their infrastructure, develop innovative approaches to service delivery, and improve their ability to serve their communities.
Supporting the Legal Aid Workforce
The Commission's Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) helps eligible legal aid attorneys and other staff manage educational debt, supporting the recruitment and retention of professionals working to provide civil legal assistance to Californians.
Removing Barriers to Justice
CalATJ brings together legal professionals, community organizations, and other stakeholders to identify systemic barriers to civil justice and develop solutions that make California's legal system more accessible.
What Are Cy Pres Awards?
Cy pres awards are distributions of funds remaining from class action settlements or other legal proceedings that cannot be distributed directly to class members or other intended beneficiaries.
In certain circumstances, courts may approve the distribution of these residual funds to nonprofit organizations whose work serves interests related to the underlying litigation.
Cy pres awards allow settlement funds to support charitable purposes when direct distribution to the intended recipients is not feasible.
Designate CalATJ as a Cy Pres Recipient
The California Access to Justice Commission welcomes inquiries from attorneys, law firms, settlement administrators, and other parties interested in designating the Commission as a recipient of cy pres awards or class action settlement residual funds.
If you are considering CalATJ as a cy pres beneficiary, please contact us to discuss the proposed award and obtain the information needed for your settlement agreement.
Download templates here: https://calatj.egnyte.com/fl/DWqGQXVXG8JC
California Access to Justice Commission
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Federal Tax ID: 84-3344697
Email: info@CalATJ.org
Contact us to learn more about designating CalATJ as a cy pres recipient.