The State Bar of Wisconsin's Pro Bono Initiative is an integrated set of programs that seek to recruit, recognize and support pro bono service by Wisconsin lawyers. Our focus is on the unmet legal needs of low-income and disadvantaged Wisconsin residents.
Every year, thousands of eligible clients must be turned away from Wisconsin’s main legal services organizations due to a lack of resources. Some receive brief advice but Wisconsin’s legal services programs must routinely turn away more eligible individuals than they serve simply because they lack the resources to help. Volunteer lawyers are and will remain a key component of the delivery system for legal services to low income and disadvantaged people in Wisconsin.
The State Bar of Wisconsin's Pro Bono Initiative seeks to help Wisconsin lawyers meet this challenge through a variety of methods, including this grant competition. We will take the results of successful projects and publicize them for use in other parts of Wisconsin.
How to Apply
The Legal Assistance Committee is soliciting proposals from individuals or organizations for grants to develop or expand pro bono legal assistance projects in their communities. Grant applications are considered on a rolling basis by the committee throughout the year. Two types of grants are available through this program.
- Larger grants (up to $5,000) are available to establish or expand pro bono projects and must be submitted using this form.
- Mini-grants (up to $500) for Pinnacle products or other items to support pro bono projects are also available and must be submitted using this form.
Proposals may seek to develop a pro bono program where none have existed or to expand an existing program (e.g., more lawyers involved, expanded target client group, expanded legal issues to be addressed).
Because the grants do not provide ongoing support, proposals must demonstrate that the project is sustainable with other resources after the Pro Bono Initiative grant funding has been expended. Grant funds are most commonly used for start-up expenses (e.g., training, publicity/outreach, space rental, technology, resource manuals, forms, office supplies that will be used in provision of legal services). All grantees must provide interim and final reports to the Legal Assistance Committee when requested.
Grantees are expected to coordinate their efforts on funded projects with all appropriate local non-profits and/or local legal services providers as well as the local judiciary and bar associations.
