How to Apply for a PBIF Grant
The Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF) provides grants to LSC grantees for civil legal aid projects that support new, robust pro bono partnerships through collaboration, innovation, and replication of effective practices.
Current Funding Cycle Announcements
The PBIF FY2024 Funding Cycle opened in mid-November 2023. Pre-Application Resource Guides for each grant category were sent to Executive Directors of LSC grantees on November 20, 2023. The deadline to submit a PBIF Pre-Application was January 16, 2024. Notification of Pre-Application decisions were sent out in Early March 2024. Those invited to submit Full Applications must submit their Full Application by May 6, 2024. All FY24 grantees will be subject to the 2024 Special Grant Terms and Conditions.
Questions about the FY2024 Funding Cycle can be directed to probonoinnovation@lsc.gov.
2024 Application Timeline
| Date | Event |
| 11/20/2023 | Grant Program Announcement Date |
12/4/2023 - 12/15/2023 1/8/2024-1/12/2024 | Technical Assistance Calls with PBIF Team |
| 1/16/2024 | Pre-Application Due Date |
| 3/11/2024 | Invitations to Submit Full Applications |
| 3/11/2024 | Full Application Instructions Issued |
| 5/6/2024 | Full Application Due Date |
Application Overview
The PBIF Funding Cycle is a two-phase process. Applicants must first submit a Pre-Application to LSC by mid-January to be considered for a PBIF Grant. After a review by LSC staff, LSC's President makes the final decision to invite select applicants to submit a Full Application. Applicants will be notified of invitations to submit a Full Application by early- to mid-March, and Full Applications are due to LSC in the GrantEase system in early May. Each Full Application will undergo a rigorous review by LSC staff and subject matter experts. LSC's President makes the final decision on PBIF grant awards.
Please see below for detailed steps on how to complete a 2024 PBIF Full Application.
Licensed GrantEase users will receive an email by March 15, 2024, providing access to the Full Application in GrantEase. Please email probonoinnovation@lsc.gov if your GrantEase user does not have access to the Full Application in GrantEase by that date.
The PBIF Team prepared comprehensive Full Application Resources for each Grant Category :
Sustainability Application Resources
The PBIF team will be hosting Office Hours for Project, Sustainability, and Planning Grant applicants in March 2024. The PBIF Team will share general information and suggestions that will be useful before receiving individual technical assistance in drafting the Full Application. Additional information about Office Hours is in the email with the invitation to submit a Full Application.
The PBIF Team wants to provide applicants with substantive feedback on important areas to develop in the proposal before submitting a Full Application. The PBIF Team strongly encourages applicants to include their entire grant team to participate in the call. Please contact probonoinnovation@lsc.gov to schedule a time for this call.
Please use the Application Guides (linked in Step 2) to assist in drafting the Full Application outside the GrantEase system.
The Full Application will be live in GrantEase by March 15, 2024. Please see the GrantEase Instructions linked in specific grant category Application Guides for instructions on submitting the Full Application. All Full Applications must be submitted by May 6, 2024, at 11:59 P.M. EDT.
Join the PBIF Contact List
If you are an LSC grantee and would like to be invited to PBIF programming and events, please enter your contact information into our Contact List. You can also confirm your organization's current contacts through this link.
Can't find what you are looking for?
Should you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to the PBIF Team.