PBIF Program Description
The Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF) provides grants to civil legal aid projects that support new, robust pro bono partnerships through collaboration, innovation, and replication of effective practices.
The PBIF Team is holding an informational webinar on March 16, 2022, from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST. This webinar will focus on an application introduction, budgeting, objectives, and milestones. Please note that this webinar is ONLY for applicants who have been invited to submit a Full Application.
The PBIF Team is planning to hold office hours on May 4, 2022, from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. to give applicants an opportunity to ask questions. Please note that these office hours are ONLY for applicants who have been invited to submit a Full Application.
Overview
The Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF) offers grants to collaboratively engage more lawyers and other professionals in pro bono service, address gaps in legal services and persistent challenges in the pro bono delivery system. Since 2014, Pro Bono Innovation Fund has invested more than $30,000,000 to 106 projects in 33 states and the District of Columbia.
The PBIF program offers three categories of grants: Project, Sustainability, and Transformation.
Eligibility
PBIF only accepts Project and Transformation grant applications from legal aid organizations already receiving an LSC Basic Field Grant. PBIF Sustainability grants are only open to former PBIF Project grantees that were awarded a grant within two years prior to the current funding cycle.
If you are an LSC-funded organization interested in applying, we encourage you to consider developing project models that offer impactful and replicable solutions to persistent challenges in your current pro bono delivery system.
Prior to submitting an application, organizations must submit a Pre-Application for Funding. The Pre-Application allows PBIF staff to quickly assess proposals that are most viable for funding and a strong match for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund. An organization may submit more than one Pre-Application for different project ideas or for different grant types (project, sustainability, transformation). Proposals for funding will not be accepted if applicants have not submitted a Pre-Application. PBIF will invite select applicants to submit a full proposal for funding.
Reviewers will assess applications according to the selection criteria. Please visit the PBIF "How to Apply" page for detailed information on the current funding cycle, selection criteria, and reporting requirements.
LSC hosted a webinar on recommendations and guidance for Learning Management Systems. See the webinar recording, presentation slides, and checklist.
PBIF hosted a Pro Bono Lab that focused on Transformation Grants. PBIF Transformation Grants encourage grantees to undertake ambitious efforts to address the challenges within their pro bono program. One of the common first steps within any pro bono transformation effort is the assessment process. A group of panelists from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Georgia Legal Services Program, and Prairie State Legal Services discussed the groundwork challenges they encountered and how they were addressed. A Resource Sheet has been compiled for attendees.
PBIF hosted a Pro Bono Lab that focused on pro bono marketing. PBIF projects have impacted the lives of clients, pro bono attorneys, and legal aid staff. Sharing the impact of a project and the stories of clients can be a pain point for some organizations. A group of panelists from Legal Services, NYC, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, and Community Legal Aid (MA) discussed how they've used marketing strategies to share their project's impact.