Self Help Legal Assistance Projects in Illinois

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF), a state-funded nonprofit based in Chicago, provides critical civil legal aid funding to support low-income residents of Illinois. IEJF’s mission is to ensure meaningful access to the civil justice system through targeted grantmaking. Their Self-Help Legal Assistance Project category aims to equip self-represented litigants with resources, legal advice, and procedural guidance to navigate noncriminal legal disputes effectively. This initiative plays a pivotal role in addressing the legal needs of Illinoisans who are unable to afford full legal representation and often face significant barriers in court proceedings. Grants under this category support programs that are located in or near courthouses or other accessible community spaces. These programs offer self-help legal assistance to litigants dealing with civil matters, such as housing, family law, immigration, or consumer issues, where legal representation is otherwise unavailable. Virtual projects are eligible, especially in light of COVID-19 considerations. The grants are meant to cover operating expenses, including personnel costs, and must involve licensed attorneys delivering services. Assistance may also be provided by law students or accredited non-attorney representatives under appropriate supervision. Eligibility is restricted to Illinois-based nonprofit organizations that offer services free of charge. Applicants must provide legal advice or assistance in civil law areas affecting low-income residents and conduct services in locations easily accessible to the public, such as courthouses or libraries. The IEJF does not fund projects related to criminal law, public education campaigns, telephone-only services, or legal service organizations that include self-help as part of their intake screening. Applications are judged on factors such as demonstrated community need, efficiency of service delivery, and innovation. Preference is given to new self-help legal initiatives in underserved counties or court divisions and to those developing replicable models or materials. Evidence of support from local legal communities, judges, or government entities enhances the proposal’s competitiveness. The program is part of a broader Civil Legal Aid initiative that funded $4.75 million in grants to 37 nonprofits in FY25, supporting over 590,000 residents. The FY26 grant cycle was approved by the IEJF Board on June 10, 2025. The application window opens June 27, 2025, with all proposals due by July 25, 2025. Site visits and application reviews will occur in August, with final funding decisions announced in October 2025. The grant period runs from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. Grantees must submit a mid-term report by March 20, 2026, and a final report by September 30, 2026. Continued disbursement of funds is contingent upon compliance with these reporting deadlines. All applicants must also submit an FY26 Organizational Assurances application through IEJF’s online Foundant portal. Interested parties can apply through the "Our Grantmaking" section of www.iejf.org. For inquiries, applicants may contact Leslie Corbett, Executive Director, at lcorbett@iejf.org or call 312-463-9134.

Review the Grantee Resources section before applying.