Accelerator Grants Program 2026

The Legal Foundation of Washington (LFW) is a nonprofit organization committed to addressing civil justice needs and advancing equity for underserved communities in Washington State. Its Accelerator Grants program is one of several funding mechanisms aimed at strengthening legal aid infrastructure and supporting impactful, time-sensitive civil justice projects. LFW’s overall mission centers on ensuring equity and justice in the civil legal system, especially for historically marginalized groups. The Accelerator Grants are one-time funding awards designed to catalyze civil justice initiatives that are urgent, innovative, and capable of producing meaningful, systemic change. These grants are targeted toward projects that require a single infusion of resources to either launch or scale their impact. The 2026 grant cycle will fund projects operating from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Funding amounts for individual awards range between $20,000 and $100,000. The grants are not intended for ongoing operational support but rather to stimulate new or timely interventions in the civil justice space. Eligible applicants include civil legal aid providers or organizations that are working in partnership with legal aid providers. All proposals must be focused on civil legal aid work that benefits communities in Washington State. The program places a strong emphasis on anti-racist practices and prioritizes work that supports Native American and Indigenous populations, undocumented individuals, and those impacted by the justice system. Applications are expected to center historically excluded communities and demonstrate long-term, systemic impact. The application process begins with a required Letter of Intent (LOI), which provides a high-level overview of the organization and proposed project. LOIs are due by August 15. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application by October 3. The full application includes detailed questions on project goals, strategies, expected outcomes, and alignment with LFW’s mission and priorities. Final funding decisions will be announced by November 24. Although participation in the grant informational webinar is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged. The 2025 webinar will be held on Monday, July 21 at 11:00 AM and will be recorded and posted for later viewing. The 2025 Accelerator Grants were awarded to six initiatives, each exemplifying community-centered and race-equity-focused approaches. For example, the Chelan Douglas County Volunteer Attorney Services received $30,000 to support a re-entry initiative, and Global Rights Advocacy received $100,000 to launch a legal fellowship for detained immigrants. These projects illustrate the breadth of work LFW supports—from reentry legal services to agricultural lease protections and youth justice reform. Questions regarding the Accelerator Grant may be directed to Arielle Handforth, the LFW Grants Manager, via email. Additional information and application resources are available on the foundation’s website. The program underscores LFW’s commitment to funding initiatives that not only address immediate civil legal issues but also lay the groundwork for enduring systemic change in Washington State.

Applicants are encouraged to attend or view the grant webinar and align proposals with LFW’s anti-racist priorities.