Local Law Justice and Legal Services Grants

The Lake County Community Foundation Fall Grant focuses on two key priority areas: Leadership Development and Animal Welfare. The Foundation's mission is aligned with fostering a stronger nonprofit sector through leadership development opportunities that benefit Lake County's broader nonprofit community, rather than individual organizations. For animal welfare, the Foundation, through the Lake County Humane Society Fund, seeks to cultivate innovative approaches and address unmet needs for animals in Lake County. This grant embodies the Foundation's commitment to strategic investments that strengthen the community. Within Leadership Development, the Foundation prioritizes projects that build a pipeline of competent, emerging leaders for the county's nonprofit sector. A crucial aspect is increasing access to quality programming for leaders of color and other underrepresented groups, ensuring a diverse and inclusive leadership base. The ultimate goal is to equip leaders to better serve their nonprofit organizations, clients, and communities, thereby amplifying their collective impact across Lake County. This approach reflects the Foundation's theory of change, which posits that investing in leadership capacity will lead to more effective and sustainable social impact. For Animal Welfare, the grant targets organizations dedicated to the needs of animals in Lake County. The focus is on innovative approaches to support animal welfare and addressing needs where the applicant is the sole service provider. This area aligns with the Foundation's broader aim of addressing critical community needs and fostering a compassionate environment for all residents, including animals. The expected outcome is improved animal welfare through targeted interventions and support for organizations making a significant difference in this area. The Foundation's strategic pillars of Economic Justice, Community Ownership, and Rapid Community Response guide the evaluation criteria for all applications. Successful proposals will demonstrate alignment with these pillars and respond to high-priority needs identified by current Lake County data. The Foundation also emphasizes diversity and equity within applicant organizations, seeking staff, leadership, and boards that reflect the communities they serve. Furthermore, strong, documented partnerships, the potential to leverage other resources, and a high probability of affecting significant change over the next three years are key considerations, along with cost-effective service delivery and a proven track record of achieving outcomes. These criteria underscore the Foundation's commitment to impactful, sustainable change.

This funding opportunity supports educational institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies in Hawaiʻi to develop projects that boost local business growth, job creation, and sustainability on the island.

This funding opportunity is designed to support organizations in Beltrami County that provide housing solutions, including construction, rehabilitation, and supportive services, to improve the availability and affordability of safe housing for low to moderate-income families and individuals.

The 2024 Parks, Fields, Trails Grant, funded by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, offers $10,000 to $100,000 for capital projects that improve public parks, athletic fields, and trails in Erie County, Pennsylvania, aiming to promote healthy lifestyles, enhance local tourism, and rejuvenate neighborhoods, with a focus on projects that provide social, educational, cultural, health, recreation, and/or economic benefits to residents.

The San Diego County Bar Foundation (SDCBF) provides grants with the mission of improving public awareness of the legal system, enhancing the administration of justice, and facilitating the delivery of legal services. This is achieved through the strategic distribution of its funds to legal aid and public interest non-profits operating within San Diego County. The Foundation's core belief is that justice serves as a critical equalizer in society, and it acts as an effective conduit for the legal community to engage in law-related philanthropy, thereby strengthening the profession and benefiting San Diego County. The SDCBF's primary beneficiaries are underserved and vulnerable individuals and communities within San Diego County who require access to legal aid and public interest services. The Foundation aims to achieve equal access to justice, increase public awareness of legal needs, and advocate for those who are marginalized. By investing in these organizations, the SDCBF seeks to create a healthier and stronger community environment by ensuring that legal services are available to those who might otherwise be unable to access them. The Foundation's priorities and focus areas revolve around its core values: Access to Justice, Service, Accountability, Integrity, and Permanence. It diligently supports legal and non-legal communities through its grant-making process and ongoing fundraising efforts. The SDCBF emphasizes service by focusing on equal access to justice, public awareness, and advocacy for the underserved, coupled with ongoing education. Accountability is demonstrated through conscientious stewardship of funds, ensuring that donor contributions benefit designated community partners, with sustainability guaranteed through a growing endowment. Integrity is upheld through honesty, civility, and fairness, maintaining a strict no-conflict-of-interest policy. Permanence is secured by preserving the Foundation's longevity and ensuring its legacy through continuous endowment growth. Expected outcomes include a more equitable justice system, increased public understanding of legal rights and resources, and a strengthened network of legal aid and public interest organizations within San Diego County. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of individuals served by grant recipients, the types of legal services provided, and the impact of these services on the community. The SDCBF's strategic priorities are deeply rooted in its theory of change, which posits that by investing in legal aid and public interest organizations, and by fostering law-related philanthropy, it can ensure access to justice, enhance the legal profession, and contribute to the overall well-being of San Diego County, ultimately serving as a model bar foundation nationwide.

The Excellence in Education Fund (EIE Fund), managed by the CenDel Foundation, is currently accepting applications for its 2024 grant cycle. Established in 2019 through contributions from Statewide Workforce Development, the Kent Economic Partnership, Greater Kent Committee, Delaware State News, and the Kent County community, the EIE Fund's mission is to support programs that enhance workforce development and stimulate economic growth within Kent County, Delaware. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the CenDel Foundation administers the fund with the guidance of the Excellence in Education Advisory Board, ensuring alignment with its core mission of fostering community prosperity through strategic investments in education and economic opportunity. The EIE Fund targets public institutions, nonprofits, and civic/community organizations that are focused on educating and training individuals to meet the demands of current and future businesses in Kent County. The primary impact goal is to create a more skilled workforce, broaden perspectives through educational components, and drive measurable economic and community development. This includes generating employment opportunities and potentially attracting new residents to Kent County. The program prioritizes initiatives that enhance the regional workforce, emphasizing the quality, impact, and duration of programs, as well as the number of individuals impacted. It also focuses on educating and broadening perspectives, requiring applicants to detail the educational component, the number of participants, and the knowledge gained. Furthermore, a key focus is on economic and community development, looking for programs that cultivate special skill sets, generate measurable economic impact, and promote employment. Applications are reviewed for clarity and strong evidence supporting the achievement of stated goals. The EIE Fund's strategic priorities align with a theory of change that posits that targeted investments in education and workforce training will directly lead to enhanced economic vitality and improved community well-being in Kent County. By supporting programs that build relevant skills and create opportunities, the fund aims to strengthen the local economy, increase employment rates, and foster a more knowledgeable and engaged citizenry. Eligible institutions and organizations can be awarded up to $50,000, with a requirement to submit proposals on the official 2024 application form and demonstrate their status as a public institution or 501(c)3 organization.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local organizations in Oregon and Washington to create and expand workforce programs for individuals referred from shelters, helping those who have experienced homelessness gain employment and essential skills.

The Emerging Erie Fund, a field of interest fund of the Erie Community Foundation, aims to champion local initiatives that will significantly benefit the Erie community both now and in the future. This aligns with the Erie Community Foundation's broader mission to foster a thriving community by supporting innovative projects that "move the needle." The fund was formerly known as the Young Erie Philanthropists, indicating a legacy of engaging with and empowering community-focused efforts. The grant program targets Erie County 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, excluding for-profit entities, sectarian religious activities, fundraising solely, or hospitality projects. The primary beneficiaries are residents of Erie, Pennsylvania, through projects focused on talent development and retention (PEOPLE) and neighborhood public spaces (PLACES). The impact goal is to create sustainable improvements in these key areas, contributing to career development and enhanced public environments within the community. The Emerging Erie Fund prioritizes innovative and ambitious projects where the allocated funds, ranging from $10,000 to a maximum of $75,000, can make a substantial difference. The grantmaking areas, "PEOPLE: Talent Development and Retention" and "PLACES: Neighborhoods Public Spaces," clearly define the strategic focus. The fund seeks proposals that demonstrate a clear potential for significant positive change within an 18-month project period. Expected outcomes include the creation of new career development opportunities, the enhancement of existing talent retention initiatives, and the improvement of public spaces within Erie neighborhoods. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on "moving the needle" suggests a desire for demonstrable impact. Organizations are expected to propose projects with clear objectives and a strong likelihood of achieving tangible improvements aligned with the fund's two core grantmaking areas.

This grant provides multi-year funding to nonprofit organizations that deliver gender-specific programs and services aimed at improving the lives of at-risk women and girls in Essex County, Massachusetts.

Howard County’s Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) Grants aim to foster youth activities and engagement within Howard County by supporting free, accessible, and supportive programming developed by nonprofit and community organizations. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to empower community organizations with resources to create impactful programs for young people, particularly during non-school hours. The grant's strategic priority is to enhance youth well-being and development through structured engagement, reflecting a theory of change that posits increased access to supportive out-of-school programs leads to improved social-emotional learning, mental health, and overall youth development. The primary target beneficiaries of the YEP! Grants are young people in Howard County. The program's impact goals include providing community organizations with the means to develop and expand programs that focus on social-emotional learning, mental health and wellness, and general activities for youth. By offering these programs outside of traditional school hours, the grants seek to address critical periods when young people may most benefit from engagement and support, thereby contributing to their holistic development and reducing potential negative outcomes associated with unstructured free time. The grants prioritize programming that occurs at least monthly over a 12-month period, engaging youth during weekends, after-school hours, and the summer. A key focus is on ensuring programs are either free or low-cost, with proposals needing to demonstrate how cost barriers are minimized for participants. Additionally, proposals are encouraged to leverage partnerships with other community organizations in Howard County, fostering a collaborative approach to youth development and maximizing resource utilization across the community. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of young people served by engaging activities, a broader geographic impact of programs within Howard County, and successful engagement of youth across various age groups. Grant recipients are required to track performance data, including the number of young people served, geographic reach, and age of youth served, and submit quarterly reports to the Office of the County Executive. This rigorous reporting mechanism ensures accountability and provides measurable results, allowing the Howard County Government to assess the effectiveness of the YEP! grants in achieving their objectives and continually refine their strategic approach to youth engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Vancouver, Washington, to deliver essential supportive services and rental assistance for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those in Safe Stay and Safe Park sites.

This grant provides financial support to artists in specific Minnesota counties to help them advance their careers through various artistic projects and professional development opportunities.

This grant provides over $125,000 in funding to support 30 Black artists in the Philadelphia area who create projects celebrating the city's rich Black music heritage through storytelling and creative expression.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that assist small businesses, particularly those with five or fewer employees, focusing on underserved communities across Washington.

This program provides funding for events and projects that promote tourism in Mauldin, helping to attract visitors and boost the local economy.

This program provides financial support to commercial property owners and business tenants in Boyd to improve the exterior appearance and accessibility of their properties through renovations and enhancements.

JustReinvest is offering a grant of up to $75,000 for community-based organizations in Maricopa County, Arizona, to fund programs that address priority areas such as violence prevention, economic development, neighborhood beautification, and health and wellness improvement, particularly in historically under-resourced neighborhoods and marginalized populations, funded by the Justice Reinvestment Fund which is supported by state tax revenues from the sale of recreational marijuana.

The City of Lawrence's Affordable Housing Trust Fund is accepting applications to provide and improve the quality, availability, and affordability of housing in Lawrence. This initiative aligns with the mission of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) to ensure everyone in Lawrence has access to safe, quality, affordable housing and supportive services for independent living with dignity. The fund is supported by a local sales tax, demonstrating a community-wide commitment to addressing housing needs. The primary target beneficiaries are low-to-moderate income households and residents within the City of Lawrence city limits. The impact goals include increasing the supply of affordable housing, preserving existing affordable housing stock, and enhancing accessibility. Additionally, the program aims to provide housing vouchers for low-income households, increase community awareness on affordable housing issues, and advance racial equity in housing. The program prioritizes several key areas, including affordable housing or land acquisition, new affordable housing development, and rehabilitation of existing affordable housing for preservation. It also focuses on accessibility modifications for households with specific needs to maintain affordable and accessible housing, as well as projects that specifically advance racial equity in housing. Investing in private/public partnerships for the provision of affordable housing is also a central focus. The City of Lawrence anticipates awarding up to $1.2 million in Affordable Housing Trust Funds. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of affordable housing units, improved quality of existing affordable housing, and greater accessibility for those with specific needs. The program also aims to reduce housing insecurity through vouchers and foster a more equitable housing landscape within Lawrence, with success measured by the number of projects funded and the households served.

The Ulster County Food Security and Resilience Grant Program, a collaborative effort between Ulster County and the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, aims to address food insecurity within Ulster County, New York. This program aligns with the findings of the Ulster County Food Security and Access Network (UCFSAN) Report, indicating a shared commitment to improving food access and resilience in the region. The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley acts as the donor, facilitating the distribution of funds to eligible organizations. The grant program targets tax-exempt organizations, including faith-based organizations, that are either located in or provide services to Ulster County. These organizations must have operated as a nonprofit for at least one year with 501(c)(3) status or have an established fiscal sponsorship. The primary beneficiaries are individuals and communities within Ulster County experiencing food insecurity, particularly in critical geographic areas with limited provider access. The overarching impact goal is to enhance food security and resilience across the county. Funding priorities and focuses include proposals that effectively address food insecurity, leverage existing resources, expand emergency food services, and increase the capacity to collect, store, distribute, and provide food to those in need through equipment or personnel. A key focus is also on ensuring the sustainability of organizations working on food insecurity and supporting those operating in underserved areas. The grant program seeks to support "change-oriented" programs that address root causes rather than just immediate needs, aligning with a strategic approach to long-term community impact. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in food insecurity, improved access to emergency food services, increased capacity within food assistance organizations, and enhanced sustainability for these providers. The review criteria emphasize the quality of the program/project, the organization's capacity and stability, the clarity and realism of the budget, and the potential for significant impact and measurable results. Organizations are expected to have viable evaluation plans to demonstrate the likelihood of successfully measuring their impact, ensuring accountability and effective resource utilization.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations and public agencies in California to deliver essential services aimed at improving the health, safety, and educational outcomes of children, youth, and young adults in Richmond and unincorporated North Richmond.