Each year the Alabama Law Foundation makes grants for law-related charitable projects. A recent survey of Alabama’s low-income residents found that only 16% of poor people receive assistance with their legal problems. Eighty percent of grants are to groups that provide free civil legal aid to the poor.
GENERAL GRANTS
The grant application process begins with the submission of an online grant application. The foundation awards IOLTA grants in three categories:
- Programs that provide free legal aid to the poor in civil cases
- Projects to improve the administration of justice
- Law related education
Grants are awarded each December for the following year beginning January 1.
The first round of 2025 Grants has been awarded. You can view the recipients by visiting our Grantees page. Applications for a second round of grants will open in mid-April, with selected recipients announced in July.
To be eligible to receive funds from the IOLTA program, an applicant must be a 501©(3) charitable organization. The foundation does not accept grant applications from individuals.
Committees and Task Forces of the Alabama State Bar must have the approval of the Board of Bar Commissioners prior to submission of a grant application.
FORECLOSURE PREVENTION GRANTS
In 2016 the Alabama Law Foundation received $3.3 million as part of a nationwide mortgage foreclosure settlement between the Bank of America and the United States Department of Justice. Each year, the foundation awards a portion of these funds to civil legal aid organizations to provide legal services to help Alabama homeowners avoid losing their homes to foreclosure.
During the 2025 Grant Cycle, the Alabama Law Foundation will accept proposals for projects that provide civil legal aid to low-income Alabamians in foreclosure prevention work.