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.
Overview
The Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF) offers grants to creatively engage more lawyers and other professionals in pro bono service and address gaps in legal services and persistent challenges in the pro bono delivery system. Since 2014, PBIF has invested more than $50,000,000 in 180 projects in 38 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In FY26, the PBIF program offers three grant categories: Project, Project Incubation, and Sustainability.
Eligibility
PBIF only accepts Project, Project Incubation and Sustainability Grant Applications - from legal aid organizations already receiving an LSC Basic Field Grant.
If you are an LSC-funded organization interested in applying, we encourage you to consider developing project models that deliver impactful, replicable solutions to persistent challenges in your current pro bono delivery system
PBIF Sustainability grants are only open to 2024 PBIF Project grantees.
For the 2026 Funding Cycle, Project Incubation Grants are available to organizations that have never received PBIF funding, have not received a PBIF Grant since 2019, or applied unsuccessfully for a PBIF Grant in 2025. At the start of the funding cycle, eligible organizations will receive an email directly from LSC President Ron Flagg to confirm their eligibility for this opportunity.
The PBIF FY26 Funding Cycle opened in November 2025 with a Pre-Application deadline of January 15, 2026. . You can view the Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information. Email notifications were sent to organizations eligible to submit a Full Application in early March. Full Applications are due by May 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
The video linked below provides an overview of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund.
The PBIF Team has prepared Full Application tools to assist applicants during drafting.
Group Q&A sessions provide Applicants with an open forum to engage with the PBIF Team and other Applicants. These sessions focus on answering questions about the Full Application process, addressing challenges, and discussing topics relevant to specific proposals.
Group Q&A Sessions for All Applicants:
Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Register here.
Group Q&A Sessions for Project Incubation Grant Applicants:
Thursday, April 6, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Register here.
Group Q&A Sessions for Project and Sustainability Grant Applicants:
Monday, April 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Register here.
Applicants can submit questions anonymously using this Smartsheet Form, and the PBIF Team will address live and pre-submitted questions during the sessions.
All questions and answers provided during the Q&A sessions will be added to the FAQ document.
In addition, the PBIF Team will host Orientation sessions in November.
Register for the Project Incubation Orientation on Wednesday, November 19 at 3:00 p.m. ET. (For eligible Project Incubation Applicants only)
Register for the Project & Sustainability Orientation on Thursday, November 20 at 2:00 p.m. ET.
The PBIF Team will host Technical Assistance Appointments for FY2026 Applicants from March 23, 2026, to April 30, 2026. Each appointment is 45 minutes long and requires pre-registration.
This one-on-one time allows Applicants to receive personalized guidance and specific answers to their questions. We encourage organizations to use this opportunity to discuss their unique proposal.
Applicants should email ProBonoInnovation@LSC.gov to schedule their appointments.
Grants awarded for FY25 officially started on October 1, 2025. You can view the press release and description of these grants here.
PBIF is entering its next stage of growth and learning. For FY26, PBIF will pause Transformation and Planning Grants. This pause will provide time to reflect on the lessons of the past 10 years and review the outcomes of Transformation Grants funded between 2017 and 2023.
PBIF Project Incubation Grants aim to partner with eligible organizations to strengthen one of their already existing pro bono opportunities. Once chosen for funding, Project Incubation Grantees will be supported through technical assistance, resources, and workshops that strengthen both their programs and proposals. This category is open to first-time applicants and those who have not received multiyear PBIF funding since 2019.
PBIF Grantee Engagement Scholarships will offer unsuccessful first-time applicants and those who have not received multiyear PBIF funding with funding to engage in peer-to-peer learning activities, including the PBIF Grantee Meeting, the Equal Justice Conference, or a peer-site visit, which will provide technical knowledge that will strengthen future applications for PBIF funding.
The PBIF Team will open the FY2026 Funding Cycle in November 2025.
The PBIF Funding Cycle is a two-phase process. Applicants must first submit a Pre-Application and then, upon invitation, must submit a Full Application. Generally, Applicants submit a Pre-Application in mid-January, are notified of invitations to submit a Full Application by early- to mid-March, and, if invited, submit a Full Application by May. LSC's President makes the final decision on PBIF grant awards.
Please visit the PBIF "How to Apply" page for detailed information on the current funding cycle, selection criteria, and reporting requirements.