GRANT PROGRAMS

Awarded annually since 1978

Source of funding: private contributions and IOLTA revenue

Application opens: August

Application deadline: late August

Awards announced: mid-December

Grant year: January 1 to December 31

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The General Support Grants Program, which began in 1978, the year after DCBF was founded, has provided over $34 million in critical operating support to DC legal service providers. General Support grants provide unrestricted funds support 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.

• ​Awarded annually since 2007

• Source of funding: public funding from a grant from the District

• Application opens: August

• Application deadline: late August

• Awards announced: mid-December

• Grant year: January 1 to December 31​

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In 2007, DCBF began awarding grants under the Access to Justice Grants Program (ATJ Grants) when the Council of the District of Columbia designated DCBF as the administrator of these funds. ATJ Grants support organizations that provide legal assistance, or support the provision of that assistance, in three areas: (a) underserved areas in DC; (b) housing-related matters; and (c) to support a shared legal services interpreter bank. Since 2007, the Foundation has awarded over $123.6 million to provide critical legal assistance to DC residents with low income or living in underserved communities.

• Legislation passed in late June 2017

• Source of funding: public funding from a grant from the District

• Application opens: August

• Application deadline: late August

• Awards announced: mid-December

• Grant year: January 1 to December 31

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The Civil Legal Counsel Projects Program (CLCPP Grants) was established by the Council of the District of Columbia through the Expanding Access to Justice Amendment Act of 2017. The legislation designates the DC Bar Foundation to administer this grant program. Organizations eligible for CLCPP Grants are legal service organizations that provide representation in eviction defense proceedings for District residents with low income. Also eligible are non-profit organizations that, in partnership with legal service organizations, enable access to this representation for District residents with low income. Since 2018, the Foundation has awarded over $50.4 million to ensure that DC residents with low income and those living in underserved communities have access to civil legal aid.