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GENERAL SUPPORT GRANTS

  • Formal name: DC Legal Services Grants Program

  • Awarded annually since 1978

  • Source of funding: private contributions and IOLTA revenue

  • Grant year: January 1 to December 31

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​The DC Legal Services Grants Program (General Support grants), which began in 1978, the year after DCBF was founded, has provided over $34 million in critical operating support to DC legal aid providers. General Support grants provide unrestricted funds to help cover overhead costs, such as rent and client record databases, which are not always covered by other grants these organizations receive. These grants are funded by private contributions and revenue received through the IOLTA program.

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APPLICANTS

The Foundation will host a grants information session on July 16 to provide an overview of the grant programs, funding for the FY26 grant cycle, the grants timeline, and the application process. The PowerPoint from that session will be made available here.​​

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Organizations that receive funding through the General Support grant program are required to provide programmatic reports.

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FY26 applicants can begin submitting grant applications on August 1, 2025. FY26 applications are due 5:00 p.m. on August 29, 2025. 

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Links to sample application materials for FY26 are provided below.

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FY26 SAMPLE APPLICATION MATERIALS

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  • FY26 General Support Grants Program Overview and Instructions (PDF)

  • FY26 Application Organization Profile Sample (PDF) | (Word)

  • FY26 General Operating Support Application Sample (PDF) | (Word)

  • FY26 General Project Support Application Sample (PDF) | (Word)

  • FY26 Client Eligibility Guidelines on Residency and Income (PDF)

  • FY26 Data Packet General Project Support Sample (Excel)

  • FY26 Data Packet General Operating Support Sample (Excel)

  • FY26 Budget Narrative Explanation and Notes (Word)​

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FY25 GRANTEES

Organizations that receive funding from the DC Legal Services Grants Program (General Support grants) are required to provide substantive midyear and year-end reports on their accomplishments and the use of the DC Bar Foundation funds. The reporting schedule for FY25 General Support grants (January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025) is below. Grant managers will receive an email notification when these reporting forms are ready to be completed.

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At any time, please contact us at grants@dcbarfoundation.org if you would like to discuss your project deliverables, budgets, or reporting deadlines.

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