Supplemental Legal Aid Funding for Vulnerable Populations
(Grant Period May 1, 2025 - April 30, 2026)
NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY
Time Sensitive
BACKGROUND
The California Access to Justice Commission (CALATJ) has been authorized to make grants pursuant to the Legislative Special Session to protect the constitutional and legal rights of vulnerable populations including immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community. $4,875,000 will be available to distribute to nonprofits that provide civil legal services. Applicants do not need to be IOLTA-funded to be eligible for these grants. (Please note that although grants will not be made to supplant existing or alternative funding available for the same work, the proposed projects may expand or complement the applicant’s existing work for the intended populations and subject matters.)
We anticipate distributing a first portion (no more than 75% of the total funds) on an accelerated timeline. Decisions about the remaining funds will be determined within a few months, as CalATJ and legal services programs learn more about these communities’ critical legal needs.
Please email grants@calatj.org if you would like to be put on a mailing list for further information about this grant opportunity. The application is now live on the Smart Simple platform and can be found here.
AWARD INFORMATION*
● Total Funding: $4,875,000
● Expected Number of Grants: 35-50
● Grants Size: $25,000 - $150,000 per project
● Anticipated Median Range: $75,000 - $125,000
● Grant Period: The grant period is 12 months, beginning May 1, 2025
Timeline:
● Applications for the initial round of funding are due on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 by close of business.
● Conditional approvals and denials (pending submission of supporting documentation) will be emailed by March 28, 2025. Supplemental information will be due by April 11, 2025 by close of business. The Grant Period will start May 1, 2025.
● The Commission is dedicated to disbursing funds as soon as is permitted.
NOTE regarding urgent needs: In the exceptional case, if there are pressing immediate needs responding to new policy announcements and the roll-out of those new policies, the Commission will consider an emergency grant with a shorter timeline. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility:
Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to apply:
● A 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides civil legal aid, including (but not limited to) qualified legal services projects and support centers as defined in Sections 6213 to 6215, inclusive, of the Business and Professions Code.
● Provides civil legal services to indigent persons living at or below 200% FPT; “Indigent” is as defined in Section 6213(d) of the Business and Professions Code.
Grant Amounts
One year grants of $25,000 to $150,000. The Commission may, however, consider grants in excess of this amount if necessary to meet the needs to be addressed by the project, such as by involving multi-organizational and/or pro bono partnerships that more broadly serve the needs of immigrant or other vulnerable communities or legal services programs.
Grant Priorities:
Programs that protect the constitutional and legal rights of immigrants, including those who face detention without due process or are denied other legal protections, and other vulnerable Californians whose rights are at risk, such as the LGTBQ+ community. The work could include providing information about legal rights or referrals for legal assistance. None of the funding in SBX1-2 is intended to be used for immigration-related services for individuals with serious or violent felony convictions.
Proposals to strengthen the data/cybersecurity of legal services programs, particularly those focused on vulnerable populations including immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. (Please note: CalATJ is interested in considering a statewide cybersecurity grant to an organization able to assess and help remediate cybersecurity vulnerabilities of a number of legal services programs.)
Proposals that meet these criteria that include the meaningful use of pro bono attorneys and other volunteers or meaningful collaboration with community-based organizations or services to rural communities will be given particular attention.
SUBGRANTS
Subgrants to legal aid organizations or community partners are encouraged. Applicants that are applying for a grant and are also a subgrantee of another application must demonstrate that the separate grants will not fund the same activities.
EVALUATION
Grantees will be required to complete quarterly fiscal reports, quarterly evaluation and status reports, and a final evaluative report, and may be required to participate in site visits. Additional information may be requested based on individual circumstances. Being able to report on accomplishment with this funding, will support communication efforts for continued funding.