Feb. 19, 2014 – The State Bar Legal Assistance Committee offers Pro Bono Initiative grants of up to $5,000 to members or organizations to develop, support, or expand pro bono legal services projects in their communities. There is still time to apply.

“The success of the Pro Bono Initiative depends on individual and organizational ingenuity to expand our culture of giving back through pro bono service,” says State Bar Pro Bono Coordinator Jeff Brown. “These grants are a great way to support creative collaborations between our members and other community organizations.”

Applying For a Grant Is Easy

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as requests are received and are subject to funds availability. See inset box to download an application. For more information, contact Jeff Brown at (608) 250-6177, or visit the State Bar Pro Bono page on WisBar.

Recent Grants

The Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources recently received a Pro Bono Initiative grant to launch a Wills for Seniors project. Volunteers and staff will be preparing simple estate plans for low-income seniors. In response to another recent application, the Workers’ Rights Center received startup funding to expand their volunteer program to several satellite locations outside of Dane County.

Other State Bar Grants

The Wisconsin Law Foundation (WLF) annually awards Truman Q. McNulty Grants up to $2,000 to charitable or educational programs that promote public understanding of the law, the improvement of administration of justice, or law-related public service projects. Applications are reviewed each spring; however, grants can be applied for at any time during the year. Requests for grants for fiscal year 2014-15 must submitted by April 4, 2014. Download grant application guidelines. For more information about the Foundation, contact Beth Drake at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6171, or visit the Wisconsin Law Foundation page on WisBar.