LSC Awards More Than $4 Million to Strengthen Pro Bono Efforts

"WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that 19 legal aid organizations will receive Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,347,185 to expand pro bono legal services to low-income individuals. The funded projects will engage pro bono lawyers and other volunteers to better meet civil legal needs. These projects offer innovative and replicable solutions to persistent challenges in current pro bono delivery systems.

Eleven legal aid organizations are receiving new grants to significantly strengthen their pro bono efforts. Eight current Pro Bono Innovation Fund grantees are receiving supplemental funding to continue their efforts to transform pro bono delivery in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of Congress congratulated legal aid providers in their states on receiving grants.

“Pro bono work can make a life-changing difference in someone’s life,” said Illinois Senator Dick Durbin. “I’m pleased this federal funding will support Legal Aid Chicago and their important work in disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. I’ll continue working to support the Legal Services Corporation’s mission to ensure that all people have fair and equal access to our system of justice.”

“It’s great news that Bay Area Legal Services was awarded this Pro Bono Innovation Grant, which will help increase access to pro bono legal aid for low-income disaster survivors,” said Florida Senator Marco Rubio. “Underserved and low-income communities have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and I will continue to do everything I can to ensure an equitable recovery for these communities.”

Many of the projects seek to remove barriers to success facing low-income Americans. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services’ funded project will help low-income tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic who experience security deposit theft..."

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