American College of Bankruptcy Foundation - Pro Bono Grant

The American College of Bankruptcy Foundation offers a Pro Bono Grant aimed at supporting legal services organizations that align with its mission. Grants typically do not exceed $15,000, with some exceptions for innovative projects up to $20,000. Eligible initiatives focus on bankruptcy law and pro bono assistance, while ineligible projects include lobbying, fundraising, and those not directly related to debtor-creditor education. The Foundation encourages efforts that promote legal aid for disadvantaged communities.

Applying for a Pro Bono Grant from the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation
The American College of Bankruptcy Foundation (the “Foundation”) awards grants to legal services organizations whose activities are consistent with the objectives of the mission of the Foundation. Grant awards are made by the Foundation’s Pro Bono Committee (the “Committee”).
Before Applying for a Grant
Select past grant recipients have made their electronic materials available to organizations providing pro bono legal services. Agencies received funds from the American College of Bankruptcy to create materials to aid pro bono attorneys in providing much needed bankruptcy assistance to low income debtors.
Funding
The Committee will ordinarily not award grants in excess of $15,000. The Committee may make a few grants of up to $20,000; these are intended for new programs or new initiatives so the recipients will normally be first-time grantees. If a request is made for a grant of more than $15,000, please provide budgets in the alternative for grants of $15,000.

Ineligibility

The Committee does not ordinarily grant awards for or to:Organizations who have applied for their EIN/nonprofit status may be approved, but the grant will not be funded until the EIN/nonprofit status is granted, assuming the status is granted and evidence is submitted to the Pro Bono & Grants Committee within the relevant funding year.Projects not involving bankruptcy law and/or debtor-creditor counseling and education and activities not fostering pro bono assistance.Propaganda, lobbying activities, media activities or the election of public officials.Advocacy programs, including but not limited to the preparation and filing of amicus briefs, particularly in cases where the party is not an individual pro bono client.Fund raising benefits or mass appeal solicitations.Continuing legal education programs, unless they are for the training of attorneys who will volunteer to represent indigent debtors in bankruptcy cases without charge.Fee-charging credit counseling agencies.Compensation for the direct delivery of services whether by paid staff or outside attorneys (payment of staff to administer pro bono programs is within the scope of included activities).Court filing fees, speaker fees, and indirect costsLaw school clinics where students are receiving credit for the program.