Partnership Grants Program

The Legal Foundation of Washington (LFW) offers Partnership Grants as a critical part of its mission to ensure civil justice for all residents of Washington. As an established philanthropic institution dedicated to legal equity, LFW draws its funding from a combination of state sources, Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA), and private donations. These Partnership Grants reflect the organization's strategic commitment to strengthening the civil legal aid ecosystem throughout the state and advancing the goals of the State Plan and the Alliance for Equal Justice. The purpose of the Partnership Grants is to provide multi-year general operating support to civil legal aid organizations serving low-income populations in Washington. These include organizations offering direct legal representation, volunteer attorney programs, and nonprofits engaged in impact litigation, policy advocacy, and systemic reform. Through long-term support, LFW enables these organizations to maintain stable operations, pursue innovative approaches to systemic civil justice issues, and engage in strategic planning that promotes equity and durable community change. Grant terms can extend up to four years, offering recipients financial security and operational flexibility. The amount of each award varies, with no fixed ceiling or floor specified. For the 2024–2025 grant cycle, LFW disbursed a total of $27,338,000 among 29 recipient organizations. Awards ranged broadly based on the scale and scope of each recipient's work, from organizations receiving under $300,000 to large, statewide advocacy groups receiving over $10 million. These allocations underscore LFW’s flexible funding approach and its commitment to tailoring support according to organizational need and impact potential. The application process for new applicants begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI), which offers an overview of the applying organization and its proposed program. LOIs are due August 15. Notification regarding advancement to the full application stage will be sent by September 22. Full applications, due October 3, require a more comprehensive discussion of the program’s goals and anticipated impact. Final award decisions will be communicated by November 24. An informational webinar is available on July 24 at 11:00 am PDT to provide guidance on the application process, though attendance is encouraged but not mandatory. The webinar will be recorded and posted on LFW’s website for later viewing. Eligibility is limited to civil legal aid organizations that serve low-income residents of Washington State. This includes both direct service providers and policy-focused advocacy organizations. To facilitate the application process, new applicants are invited to participate in a pre-application webinar. Questions and feedback can be directed to Arielle Handforth, LFW’s Grants Manager, via email or by scheduling a meeting through the provided link. Additional information, including the Letter of Intent template and application procedures, is available on LFW’s "How to Apply" webpage. The Foundation’s main office is located at 500 Union Street, Suite 1025, Seattle, WA 98101. The grants program continues to support a diverse array of legal aid providers including Columbia Legal Services, TeamChild, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, King County Bar Association, and others. The wide range of recipients reflects LFW’s holistic investment in the state’s civil legal infrastructure and its unwavering commitment to justice through legal support services.

Applicants are encouraged to attend or watch a webinar for application guidance. Participation is not required.