The American Bar Endowment, or ABE, is now accepting applications for the 2020 Opportunity Grant Program. Grants go to support the development or expansion of new innovative, boots-on-the-ground programs and projects that serve the immediate and critical needs of the public and the legal profession.
“Each year we look forward to supporting underserved communities through law-related programs,” said Lora Livingston, of the ABE Board of Directors and presiding judge of Texas’ 261st District Court, in a press release. “Our ability to provide funding for these critical efforts is only possible because of the generosity of thousands of ABA lawyer members, who annually donate any available dividends from their ABE-sponsored insurance plans to the ABE. The organizations that receive ABE Opportunity Grants have been able to explore and launch new and innovative service delivery tools and programs.”
ABE Opportunity Grant funding focus areas include:
• Enhancement of access to justice, especially for vulnerable and underserved populations, through innovative legal services delivery, including maximum pro bono service delivery;
• Promotion of the rule of law and improvement of the justice system, including ensuring equal justice and elimination of bias, through research and policy advocacy; and
• Growth of the public’s understanding of the law and legal system, including increased civic engagement.
Organizations are eligible for an ABE Opportunity Grant if they are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) and classified as a public charity under section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or if the organization has a written fiscal agency relationship with such an organization. Government regulatory agencies are not eligible for the grant program.
ABE is interested in supporting programs and projects that address urgent needs and emerging opportunities and have a direct impact on the needs of individuals and communities.
“The entire ABE Board of Directors has been encouraged by how a modest Opportunity Grant can have such a meaningful impact on the organization and those they serve,” said Steven Zack, ABE president. “With such a huge unmet need for legal services, we are pleased to have had the chance to launch this new funding initiative and partner with these wonderful organizations to address the critical needs of their communities.”
The application process can be found on the ABE website. The deadline for applying is 5 p.m. CDT September 30, 2019. Announcement of grant awards will take place on or before February 28, 2020. Grants awards will be paid by April 1, 2020.
For more information about the ABE, go to abendowment.org. For questions regarding applications, contact Jackie Casey at 312-988-6402 or by email at jcasey@abenet.org.