2021 Pro Bono Innovation Fund Grant Recipients

Legal Services Corporation Awards More than $4.6 Million to Strengthen Pro Bono Efforts Targeting Low-Income Americans 

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that 12 legal aid organizations will receive Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,611,052 to expand pro bono legal services to low-income individuals. 

The projects will engage pro bono lawyers and other volunteers to better meet pressing civil legal needs. These projects offer innovative and replicable solutions to persistent challenges in current pro bono delivery systems.

Members of Congress congratulated legal services providers in their states on receiving pro bono grants. 

"The need for civil legal aid is greater now than ever, as hundreds of thousands of veterans, elderly victims of foreclosure, and women and children desperate to escape domestic violence are not getting the assistance they need," said Texas Senator John Cornyn. "I applaud this award and will continue to do everything I can to support civil legal aid in Northwest Texas." 

“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 its important work representing people facing eviction and ensuring families can stay in their homes. I’ll continue fighting in the Senate to support the Legal Services Corporation’s mission to ensure fair and effective access to our system of justice.”  

“Ensuring every West Virginian has access to legal aid is vital,” said West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin. “I am pleased the Legal Services Corporation is investing in the Legal Aid of West Virginia pro bono program to provide low-income West Virginians with legal services, and I will continue to advocate for resources that support every West Virginian in their time of need.” 

Several of the pro bono projects seek to remove barriers to success. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas will use its grant to support a project assisting low-income individuals with driver’s license restoration. Having the right form of identification helps individuals obtain employment, pursue educational opportunities and take care of their families. Legal Action of Wisconsin's pro bono project works with low-income technical college students to address the legal issues that may prevent them from obtaining a degree and starting a career, such as bankruptcy and pandemic-related unemployment issues. 

The pandemic has worsened housing instability across the country. Many of the projects seek to help low-income families facing eviction and other housing issues. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass in Kentucky will launch a pro bono program encouraging attorneys to regularly volunteer for eviction docket dates and provide extended representation to clients facing eviction. Legal Services NYC’s grant will support its efforts to partner with large law firms and corporations to provide legal representation to low-income tenants seeking essential home repairs. 

“Pro bono assistance enables legal aid programs to leverage their limited government-funded staff resources with privately contributed services,” said LSC President Ronald S. Flagg. “LSC’s pro bono grants fund innovative and replicable projects that promote volunteer efforts and enable legal aid programs to help many more people in need.”  

LSC awarded these grants from its $4.75 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund included in its FY 2021 congressional appropriation. The fund was recommended by LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2012. Since its creation in 2014, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested $28 million in 94 pro bono projects around the country.   

The FY 2021 projects are:  

Hawaii 
Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i ($245,029 grant)

Illinois 
Legal Aid Chicago ($423,887 grant)

Kentucky 
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass ($439,999 grant)

The Legal Aid Society ($285,165 grant)

Missouri 
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. ($371,059 grant)

New York 
Legal Services NYC ($368,163 and $275,054 grants)

Pennsylvania  
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA ($399,999 grant)

Neighborhood Legal Services Association ($302,799 grant)

Texas 
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas ($285,095 grant)

Washington, D.C.  
Neighborhood Legal Services Program ($382,334 grant)

West Virginia 
Legal Aid of West Virginia ($432,769 grant)

Wisconsin 
Legal Action of Wisconsin ($399,694 grant)

 

Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i Awarded $245,029 Grant to Improve Pro Bono Legal Help

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i will receive a $245,029 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant. LSC’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund is intended to encourage and expand pro bono efforts and partnerships to serve more low-income individuals with civil legal issues.  

Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i will use the grant to create nine training courses for pro bono attorneys to expand their knowledge and increase the quality of legal services provided at Hawai'i’s self-help centers and other locations. The courses focus on divorce, paternity, guardianship, adoption, family court restraining orders, eviction, debt collection and district court restraining orders. There will also be a course to assist pro bono attorneys working with vulnerable clients.  

Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i plans to train at least 50 attorneys and engage an additional 150 attorneys to provide pro bono assistance. Attorneys can access 20-minute lessons, quizzes and other course materials through an online training platform. The platform will issue continuing legal education credits upon completion. 

Members of Hawaii's congressional delegation congratulated Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i on receiving the grant. 

"Legal Aid Society of Hawaii provides critical legal services to communities across our state with the help of their pro bono attorneys," said Senator Mazie Hirono. "This funding will help expand their attorneys’ knowledge to better assist their clients and allow LASH to train and engage more pro bono attorneys, expanding access to justice for our community’s most vulnerable.”

“The Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i (LASH), federally funded by our Legal Services Corporation (LSC), has long been the bedrock for legal services to our most needy, and never more so than throughout COVID-19,” said Rep. Ed Case (HI-1). “This LSC Pro Bono Innovation Grant builds perfectly on LASH’s longstanding efforts to expand the pool of legal service providers assisting clients in need. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Science and Justice, which funds LSC annually, I fought to increase LSC’s funding for Fiscal Year 2022 to $600 million, $135 million over FY21. I’m gratified that some of that funding is being directed to exactly where it can have the best result.” 

Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i is one of 12 legal aid organizations this year receiving Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,611,052.97. LSC awards these grants from its $4.75 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund included in its FY 2021 congressional appropriation.  

The fund was recommended by LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2012. Since its creation in 2014, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested $28 million in 94 pro bono projects around the country. 

Legal Services NYC Awarded $643,217 in Grants to Help Low-Income New Yorkers Facing Housing Issues

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that Legal Services NYC will receive two Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $643,217. LSC’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund is intended to encourage and expand pro bono efforts and partnerships to serve more low-income individuals with civil legal issues.  

A grant for $368,163 will allow Legal Services NYC to engage volunteers to help low-income clients navigating the complex process of applying for emergency rental assistance and other public benefits. The organization will recruit pro bono attorneys from large law firms and corporations to participate in regular clinics about preparing and completing assistance applications. The goal is to hold at least 75 virtual clinics and engage at least 200 volunteers over the next two years. 
 
Legal Services NYC will use a second pro bono grant for $275,054 to continue providing legal representation to low-income tenants seeking essential housing repairs. In 2019, the organization developed a study group approach to place housing cases with volunteers from large law firms and corporations. Pro bono volunteers took on 95 cases that benefited 193 individuals, including 52 children, within the first 21 months of the project.  

The additional funding will allow Legal Services NYC to partner with at least 250 pro bono volunteers to litigate an additional 150 housing cases. They will also enhance eviction-prevention work and explore new approaches to serving more clients through limited scope clinics. 

Members of New York’s congressional delegation congratulated Legal Services NYC on receiving the grants. 

“Legal Service Corporation’s decision to award LS NYC with both sustainability and project PBIF grants is the sort of transformative generosity which delivers foundational change to communities who need it the most,” said Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-9). “These grants will empower the low-income and underprivileged people of New York to protect their rights as tenants, reach the rental assistance they are entitled to, and more essential services that would be otherwise impossible were it not for them. On behalf of my office and the Ninth District of New York, thank you to LSC for giving our community the tools it needs to better itself.”  

“LSNYC provides crucial support to New York renters who are at risk of eviction or face unacceptable living conditions,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8). “I applaud Legal Services Corporation for providing these pro bono grants to help those at risk get the assistance they need and deserve.”  

Legal Services NYC is one of 12 legal aid organizations this year receiving Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,611,052.97. LSC awards these grants from its $4.75 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund included in its FY 2021 congressional appropriation.  

The fund was recommended by LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2012. Since its creation in 2014, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested $28 million in 94 pro bono projects around the country. 

Legal Aid Chicago Awarded $423,887 Grant for Eviction Prevention Project 

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that Legal Aid Chicago will receive a $423,887 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant. LSC’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund is intended to encourage and expand pro bono efforts and partnerships to serve more low-income individuals with civil legal issues. Legal Aid Chicago’s grant will support the Eviction Prevention in Chicagoland (EPIC) 2021 Project. 

Only 11% of tenants have legal representation in eviction court in Chicago; the number drops to 5% for suburban tenants. Unrepresented tenants lose 60% of their cases.  

The EPIC Project will recruit pro bono attorneys to expand legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction, especially in the suburbs. Volunteers will have two types of opportunities. One will focus on advice and short-term representation such as settlement assistance. The other will take on extended representation in contested hearings and trials.  

Volunteers will receive administrative and substantive legal support from a dedicated paralegal and attorney. Legal Aid Chicago housing law specialists will also create e-learning modules and other materials to ensure pro bono attorneys have the knowledge and support they need to successfully represent clients. 

Members of Illinois’ congressional delegation congratulated Legal Aid Chicago on receiving the grant. 

Sen. Tammy Duckworth: “No family should worry about losing the roof over their heads—especially in the midst of this pandemic. I’m glad to help announce with Senator Durbin over $400,000 federal dollars for Legal Aid Chicago’s Eviction Prevention in Chicagoland Project and I’ll continue working to help ensure Illinoisans have secure housing throughout our state.” 

Sen. Dick Durbin: “Pro bono work can make a life-changing difference in someone’s life. I’m pleased this federal funding will support Legal Aid Chicago and its important work representing people facing eviction and ensuring families can stay in their homes. I’ll continue fighting in the Senate to support the Legal Services Corporation’s mission to ensure fair and effective access to our system of justice.” 

Rep. Robin L. Kelly (IL-2): “I’m thrilled that Legal Aid Chicago will be receiving this grant to help fund their Eviction Prevention in Chicagoland project. Those facing eviction often do not have funds to provide their own representation. Eviction is a serious matter and tenants deserve quality representation regardless of their income. I’m very grateful that Legal Services Corporation has chosen Legal Aid Chicago for this Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant and that my constituents will benefit from this federally appropriated funding.” 

Rep. Marie Newman (IL-3): "As millions across the nation face possible eviction during the midst of a global pandemic, it has never been more critical to ensure our most vulnerable Americans have access to the legal services they need so they can rightfully fight to stay in their homes. Legal Aid Chicago has been at the forefront of preventing unfair evictions by ensuring our low-income residents from across Illinois receive the legal assistance they need and deserve — at no cost. With this new grant from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), I am thrilled to say thanks that the dedicated staff at Legal Aid Chicago can now expand their critical efforts and help more residents keep a roof over their heads." 

Rep. Bobby L. Rush (IL-1): “Evictions devastate families, uproot communities, harm children, and perpetuate vicious cycles of poverty in Chicagoland and across the country. Eviction is not just a condition of poverty; it is a cause of poverty. Legal representation is critical to keeping families in homes and preventing additional harm to the most vulnerable in our communities. Many families — particularly Black and Brown families — are still reeling from economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as we continue to face an ongoing affordable housing crisis, the work that Legal Aid Chicago does is more important than ever. I look forward to this funding being put to good use to prevent evictions, and I will continue to support action on a federal level to extend the eviction moratorium and address the affordable housing crisis.” 

Legal Aid Chicago is one of 12 legal aid organizations this year receiving Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,611,052.97. LSC awards these grants from its $4.75 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund included in its FY 2021 congressional appropriation.  

The fund was recommended by LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2012. Since its creation in 2014, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested $28 million in 94 pro bono projects around the country. 

Legal Aid of West Virginia Awarded $432,769 Grant to Expand Pro Bono Representation

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that Legal Aid of West Virginia (LAWV) will receive a $432,769 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant. LSC’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund is intended to encourage and expand pro bono efforts and partnerships to serve more low-income individuals with civil legal issues. 

The grant will support LAWV’s efforts to transform its statewide pro bono program to bring in more volunteers to meet the high priority legal needs of low-income West Virginians. LAWV plans to develop a replicable statewide system for projects and will integrate technology to deliver free services throughout their offices.  

The funding will also support LAWV’s transition to a new case management system. A new pro bono attorney will strategically review cases suitable for volunteer assistance. 

Senator Joe Manchin congratulated LAWV on receiving the grant. 

“Ensuring every West Virginian has access to legal aid is vital,” said Sen. Manchin. “I am pleased the Legal Services Corporation is investing in the Legal Aid of West Virginia pro bono program to provide low-income West Virginians with legal services, and I will continue to advocate for resources that support every West Virginian in their time of need.” 

Legal Aid of West Virginia is one of 12 legal aid organizations this year receiving Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,611,052.97. LSC awards these grants from its $4.75 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund included in its FY 2021 congressional appropriation.  

The fund was recommended by LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2012. Since its creation in 2014, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested $28 million in 94 pro bono projects around the country. 

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas Awarded $285,095 Grant for Pro Bono Project Seeking to Remove Employment and Education Barriers

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas will receive a $285,095 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant. LSC’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund is intended to encourage and expand pro bono efforts and partnerships to serve more low-income individuals with civil legal issues.  

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas will use the grant to support an existing project that assists low-income individuals with driver’s license restoration and helps eliminate underlying barriers to obtaining state IDs. Having the right form of identification helps individuals obtain employment, pursue educational opportunities and take care of their families. 

Since 2019, pro bono attorneys with the project have handled more than 200 cases with a nearly 100% success rate in eliminating the underlying barriers to obtaining identification. The project partners with three law schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to train law students to handle various cases under the direction of a law professor or project attorney.  

The 2021 grant will build on the program’s prior successes by engaging and training additional pro bono lawyers to increase the number of clients served. Previously, about 450 pro bono attorneys were recruited. 

Members of Texas’ congressional delegation congratulated Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas on receiving the grant. 

"The need for civil legal aid is greater now than ever, as hundreds of thousands of veterans, elderly victims of foreclosure, and women and children desperate to escape domestic violence are not getting the assistance they need," said Sen. John Cornyn. "I applaud this award and will continue to do everything I can to support civil legal aid in Northwest Texas." 

“I am pleased to learn that the Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT) has been awarded the Legal Service Corporation’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant,” said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30). “This grant, totaled at over $280,000, will allow more people across North and West Texas to access the critical, pro bono services that LANWT provides. Specifically, it will help engage more lawyers in pro bono work to bridge the gap in legal care for underserved and underprivileged communities. I would like to thank the Legal Service Corporation for their continued support over the years, and I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

“Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas plays a vital role in addressing—and closing gaps—that many face when obtaining legal services,” said Rep. Marc A. Veasey (TX-33). “I am proud that this program has been awarded a grant so they can continue their pro bono legal services in the Metroplex and keep assisting low-income residents with much-needed legal services that they would not have access to otherwise.”  

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas is one of 12 legal aid organizations this year receiving Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,611,052.97. LSC awards these grants from its $4.75 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund included in its FY 2021 congressional appropriation.  

The fund was recommended by LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2012. Since its creation in 2014, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested $28 million in 94 pro bono projects around the country.

Legal Aid of the Bluegrass and the Legal Aid Society Awarded Grants to Expand Pro Bono Representation in Kentucky  

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that Legal Aid of the Bluegrass will receive a $439,999 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant and the Legal Aid Society will receive a $285,165 grant. LSC’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund is intended to encourage and expand pro bono efforts and partnerships to serve more low-income individuals with civil legal issues.  

The grant to Legal Aid of the Bluegrass will help the organization transform its pro bono program into a more technologically integrated and efficient practice in the core legal areas of housing, family benefits and consumer rights. A pro bono manager will lead the effort and incorporate new methods of communication with volunteer attorneys and increase technological support and mentorship.  

Legal Aid of the Bluegrass will also launch a pilot program to secure pro bono representation in eviction cases. This project will encourage attorneys to regularly volunteer for eviction docket dates and provide extended representation to clients facing eviction. 

The Legal Aid Society’s grant will support its Volunteer Eviction Defense Program (VEDP). The program seeks to address the acute eviction crisis in Jefferson County, which includes Louisville and the surrounding metropolitan area. The program will leverage pro bono legal assistance to expand the organization's capacity to meet the rising need for eviction defense. The Legal Aid Society has obtained commitments from Louisville’s largest law firms to support VEDP’s efforts. The program will offer training, co-counseling and mentoring to all volunteers to provide full-scale, in-court representation to low-income renters facing eviction. 

Rep. John A. Yarmuth (KY-3) congratulated the organizations on the awards.  

“Since before the pandemic began, Louisville and our surrounding communities have been at the center of our nation’s eviction crisis,” said Rep. Yarmuth. “Without widespread access to stable and affordable housing in our city, far too many find themselves one unexpected life event away from homelessness. That is why I am so thrilled that this federal investment will help protect more local families from eviction and provide them with legal representation.  We have to keep working to ensure that all families have the certainty of a place to call home. It’s not just an address. It’s a place of refuge—where we begin and end each day, and where we build our futures.” 

Legal Aid of the Bluegrass and the Legal Aid Society are two of 12 legal aid organizations this year receiving Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,611,052.97. LSC awards these grants from its $4.75 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund included in its FY 2021 congressional appropriation.  

The fund was recommended by LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2012. Since its creation in 2014, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested $28 million in 94 pro bono projects around the country. 

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA and Neighborhood Legal Services Association in Pittsburgh Receive Grants to Improve Pro Bono Assistance for Low-Income Pennsylvanians 

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) will receive a $399,999 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant and Neighborhood Legal Services Association (NLS) in Pittsburgh will receive a $302,799 grant. LSC’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund is intended to encourage and expand pro bono efforts and partnerships to serve more low-income individuals with civil legal issues.  

LASP will use the grant to develop a regional approach to pro bono work to better meet the legal needs of low-income people. The organization will analyze its current pro bono program and identify successful pro bono projects to replicate. The project’s goal is to improve the entire pro bono program by providing more effective volunteer training and resources.  

LASP will also work to strengthen collaborations with law schools, law firms and corporate legal departments to engage more volunteers in pro bono work on evictions, abuse protection and expungement. 

NLS will use its grant to expand the organization’s capacity to engage pro bono volunteers in the complex eviction prevention system in Pittsburgh. Working with the community-wide Evictions and Affordable Housing Work Group, NLS will build relationships with pro bono stakeholders and housing advocates for the eviction prevention pro bono program. The organization will also develop the needed infrastructure to facilitate intake, referral and case placement with pro bono attorneys.  

The goal is to create a replicable pro bono program to prevent evictions and reduce homelessness. The project will adopt best practices for developing and supporting volunteer resources and training (in-person and online) with video tutorials, intake and case referral, reporting and mentoring. 

Members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation congratulated LASP and NLS on receiving the grant. 

Sen. Bob Casey: “Legal Aid of Southeastern PA and the Neighborhood Legal Services Association provide essential legal assistance—from preventing evictions to protecting against abuse—to those who need it the most. This funding is an important step to create equitable solutions in the legal system, where many low-income Americans often face disproportionate challenges to seeing justice. I will continue to advocate for funding for the Legal Services Corporation to support legal aid organizations and the legal needs of all Pennsylvanians.” 

Rep. Mike Doyle (PA-8): “This grant will help NLS tackle eviction and homelessness and, simply put, keep families in their homes. The Neighborhood Legal Services Association has provided pro-bono legal aid for over 55 years in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and the work has never been more important than right now as we continue to feel the effects of the pandemic. Housing is essential for economic stability and wellness, and I look forward to seeing the impact of this funding for years to come.” 

Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-4): “Legal Aid of Southeastern PA is well-deserving of this grant. This funding will help grow their resources and their commitment to fair and accessible representation in our region – I am grateful for their transformative work with our constituents, and excited to continue to partner with them as they serve those most in need.” 

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1): “I am thrilled to hear that Legal Aid of Southeastern PA is a recipient of the well-deserved Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant. The legal aid programs provided by Legal Services Corporation and Legal Aid of Southeastern PA are essential to obtaining legal justice for countless Americans across the country – including here in Pennsylvania. I am confident that this grant will go a long way in ensuring that the legal needs of low-income Americans in our community are met.” 

Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5): “The imperative that we provide access to justice for low-income Americans is not just for those who live in major cities, so I am thrilled that Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) is receiving a Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant to develop a regional approach to pro bono work. By strengthening relationships with local partners and providing more effective training and resources, LASP will be able to engage more lawyers and non-legal professionals in pro bono service that can become part of the solution to persistent legal challenges in our region such as evictions, protection from abuse, and expungement. I commend LSC for promoting innovative ways to work with the private bar to address unmet legal needs in our community, and I look forward to seeing the results of LASP’s utilization of the PBIF grant.” 

LASP and NLS are two of 12 legal aid organizations this year receiving Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,611,052.97. LSC awards these grants from its $4.75 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund included in its FY 2021 congressional appropriation.  

The fund was recommended by LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2012. Since its creation in 2014, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested $28 million in 94 pro bono projects around the country.  

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Awarded $371,059 Grant to Expand Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative 

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. will receive a $371,059 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant. LSC’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund is intended to encourage and expand pro bono efforts and partnerships to serve more low-income individuals with civil legal issues. 

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri will use the grant to expand and replicate its Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative (NVI). NVI provides focused legal assistance to disadvantaged neighborhoods in St. Louis to transform vacant properties into safe and affordable housing. By creating partnerships between law firms and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, the project helps community groups and residents to address some of the biggest challenges: disinvestment, displacement and vacancy.  

NVI partners with pro bono attorneys to provide assistance including litigation to compel owners of vacant, run-down properties to make repairs, sell, or find alternative resolutions. Pro bono attorneys help with vacancy prevention and title clearance. They also assist low-income homeowners to access home repair funding. 

Members of Missouri’s congressional delegation congratulated Legal Services of Eastern Missouri on receiving the grant.  

“For decades, the Legal Services Corporation has provided quality, no-cost legal services to millions of people in need,” said Sen. Roy Blunt. “I’m glad this funding will support Legal Services of Eastern Missouri in providing counsel to people in the community.” 

“I am overjoyed that the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri will be receiving this generous financial award,” said Rep. Cori Bush (MO-1). “I have been proud to support congressional funding for the Legal Services Corporation to promote equal access to justice by funding high-quality civil legal assistance for low-income individuals. Our work to bring justice, jobs, health care and compassion to every corner of St. Louis can’t happen if folks don’t have a roof over their heads. Housing is a human right, and it’s time our country starts treating it like one. The kind of pro-bono legal advice that the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri provides literally saves lives, including my own when I received their aid at the moment I needed it the most. I thank the Legal Services Corporation for their critical work and look forward to continuing to champion housing justice for all.” 

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri is one of 12 legal aid organizations this year receiving Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,611,052.97. LSC awards these grants from its $4.75 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund included in its FY 2021 congressional appropriation.  

The fund was recommended by LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2012. Since its creation in 2014, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested $28 million in 94 pro bono projects around the country.  

Legal Action of Wisconsin Awarded $399,694 Grant to Help Low-Income Technical College Students

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that Legal Action of Wisconsin will receive a $399,694 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant. LSC’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund is intended to encourage and expand pro bono efforts and partnerships to serve more low-income individuals with civil legal issues. 

Low-income students may face many legal barriers such as driver's license recovery, bankruptcy, expungement and pandemic-related unemployment issues. These issues can make obtaining a degree and starting a career difficult.  

The grant will allow Legal Action of Wisconsin to expand its Student Legal Aid Project, which works with pro bono attorneys, law students and paralegal students to improve education and employment outcomes of low-income technical college students. Pro bono attorneys represent students at unemployment, expungement, drivers' license and bankruptcy hearings.  

The project has assisted hundreds of clients and hosted more than 30 legal clinics (virtual, in-person, and hybrid courses). The funding will support further integrating legal aid into technical colleges' services. 

Members of Wisconsin's congressional delegation congratulated Legal Action of Wisconsin on receiving the grant. 

“For decades, Legal Action of Wisconsin has changed and improved lives by making sure our legal system works for all people--particularly those living in marginalized and underserved communities,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin “This well-deserved award will make a huge impact on the hundreds of low-income technical college students living in Wisconsin who often face barriers in finishing their education and finding employment. I’m grateful to Legal Action of Wisconsin and their network of volunteers for their dedication to creating a legal system that treats every person with fairness and respect and look forward to continuing our work together.”  

"Legal Action of Wisconsin is a wonderful resource for our community, and helps provide legal aid to low-income residents face fighting unjust evictions, to obtain services they are entitled to, or simply trying to get help to remedy an injustice committed against them,” said Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-4). “And for many low-income students, starting and finishing higher education can be challenging. I was a poor, single mother when I attended college, so I know the struggle and know I could not make it without support. It is great news that Legal Action will receive a federal grant from the Legal Services Corporation to support its Student Legal Aid Project, which helps low-income technical college students reach success. In today’s economy, we need to give our students, especially those who face multiple barriers, every support to ensure they can complete their education. And I know Legal Action will make great use of these funds to help as many in our community as possible." 

Legal Action of Wisconsin is one of 12 legal aid organizations this year receiving Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,611,052.97. LSC awards these grants from its $4.75 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund included in its FY 2021 congressional appropriation.  

The fund was recommended by LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2012. Since its creation in 2014, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested $28 million in 94 pro bono projects around the country.  

Neighborhood Legal Services Program Awarded $382,334 Grant to Support Low-Equity Housing Cooperatives in Washington, D.C. 

WASHINGTON – The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced today that Neighborhood Legal Services Program of Washington, D.C. will receive a $382,334 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant. LSC’s Pro Bono Innovation Fund is intended to encourage and expand pro bono efforts and partnerships to serve more low-income individuals with civil legal issues. 

Neighborhood Legal Services Program will use the grant to bolster its Housing Cooperative Preservation Initiative. This project provides high-quality, interdisciplinary legal services to low-equity housing cooperatives (LCEs). Volunteers are experts and leaders in specialized practice areas and offer transactional legal services to LCEs.  

The program identifies potentially costly matters that LCE’s face and which require specific legal expertise. It then supports pro bono volunteers that work with the LCEs and hundreds of affordable housing units and households.  

The grant will double the number of volunteers Neighborhood Legal Services Program can recruit and increase the number of LCEs represented by 30%. The organization will also identify successes in its case referral and representation process that can make the Housing Cooperative Preservation Initiative an example for other jurisdictions. 

Neighborhood Legal Services Program is one of 12 legal aid organizations this year receiving Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants totaling $4,611,052.97. LSC awards these grants from its $4.75 million Pro Bono Innovation Fund included in its FY 2021 congressional appropriation.  

“Pro bono assistance enables legal aid programs to leverage their limited government-funded staff resources with privately contributed services,” said LSC President Ronald S. Flagg. “LSC’s pro bono grants fund innovative and replicable projects that promote volunteer efforts and enable legal aid programs to help many more people in need.” 

The fund was recommended by LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2012. Since its creation in 2014, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested $28 million in 94 pro bono projects around the country.