Feds Fund Fresh Twists on Free Legal Help for the Needy
Published Date: 11/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The Legal Services Corporation is inviting organizations to submit pre-applications for the 2025 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants by January 10, 2025. These grants support new and creative ways to get private lawyers involved in helping people who need legal aid but can’t afford it. If you’re part of a legal group aiming to boost pro bono work, this is your chance to get funding and make a real difference!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Who Can Apply for PBIF Grants
Only organizations that are current grantees of LSC Basic Field-General, Basic Field-Migrant, or Basic Field-Native American Grants are eligible to apply for PBIF Project or other PBIF grants. Sustainability Grants require the applicant to have a 2024 PBIF Project Grant; Project Incubation Grants are limited to organizations that never received PBIF funding, have not received PBIF funding since 2019, or applied unsuccessfully for a PBIF Grant in 2025.
Funding Depends on Congressional Appropriation
LSC states that availability of FY26 PBIF funds depends on LSC's appropriation and that LSC's FY26 funding level remains unknown. Decisions on FY26 PBIF Grants will be made in summer 2026, and LSC will provide updated funding details as they become available.
Grants Aim to Expand Legal Aid to Low-Income People
The Pro Bono Innovation Fund supports projects that develop, test, and replicate pro bono approaches to enable LSC grantees to serve more low-income clients and improve service quality. Key PBIF goals include addressing gaps in legal service delivery, engaging more volunteer lawyers, and expanding free civil legal aid for low-income Americans.
Key Deadlines and Submission Steps
The Notice states that pre-applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on January 10, 2025, via the LSC grants portal, and later describes Pre-Applications to be submitted in GrantEase by January 15, 2026. Applicants invited to submit Full Applications will be notified by early March 2026 and Full Applications are due on May 8, 2026. Requests to submit after the deadline must be emailed to [email protected] by January 13, 2026.
Grant Lengths and Start Date
PBIF grants are offered in 18- or 24-month terms depending on category: Project Grants may be 18 or 24 months, while Sustainability and Project Incubation Grants are 24 months. All grant activities must cover the full proposed term, which commences on October 1, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08387 — Cost Standards and Procedures; Purchasing and Property Management
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2026-07148 — Notice to LSC Grantees of Application Process for Making 2026 Mid-Year and 2027 Basic Field Fund Subgrants
If you get money from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to help low-income people with legal services, this notice is for you! It explains how and when to apply to share (subgrant) your 2026 mid-year and 2027 Basic Field Grant funds. Applications open soon, with a big deadline on June 1, 2026, so get ready to submit your paperwork and keep the funds flowing.
2026-04666 — Notice of Funding Availability and Request for Proposals for Calendar Year 2027 Basic Field Grant Awards
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