Barbara McDowell and Gerald S. Hartman Foundation Grant

The Barbara McDowell and Gerald S. Hartman Foundation Grant supports social justice litigation in the U.S. by providing funding to organizations involved in systemic legal cases. Since 2009, the foundation has awarded over $1.4 million to 49 organizations, enhancing the lives of disadvantaged groups through impactful legal advocacy. The foundation prioritizes cases that align with its focus areas, including children's rights, discrimination, and homelessness, ensuring comprehensive support for societal improvement.

Hartman Foundation's mission is to improve the economic well-being and social conditions of disadvantaged persons and groups in the United States through the making of grants to organizations that undertake systemic litigation with the funds they receive and by coordinating direct, pro bono litigation through our High Impact Litigation Project. The Foundation’s grantmaking and High Impact Project have benefited diverse constituent populations by focusing upon a variety of social justice causes.
Since its inception in 2009, the Barbara McDowell Foundation has supported 65 social justice litigation cases with over $1,400,000 in grants to 49 organizations and coordinated some 20 cases and investigations as part of its High Impact Litigation Project.
A review of the Foundation’s successful past grant awards and its Mission Statement provide insight as to the matters that interest the Foundation. Grants are made for the sole purpose of paying litigation costs, including attorney time charges and litigation related expenses.
The Foundation funds litigation matters that are consistent with our namesake Barbara McDowell’s past legal efforts and her beliefs regarding social justice.
Focus Areas
Access to BenefitsChildren's RightsDisability RightDiscriminationDomestic ViolenceDue ProcessHomelessnessHousingNative American RightsPrisoner's RightsRefugee and Immigration RightsVoting RightsVeterans' Rights

Eligibility

Applications must be for a specific social justice legal case, including the filing of an appeal. Grant funds are to be used only for attorney time charges and litigation expenses related to the specific case for which an organization is applying to be funded.An ideal case for receiving funding from the Barbara McDowell Foundation is one which: Addresses a social justice issue consistent with the Foundation’s issue areas. Significantly improves the well-being, social conditions, and/or civil liberties of disadvantaged persons and/or groups in the United States.Has strong legal argument(s) for its successful litigation.In assessing the ideal applicant organization the following factors will be considered: The applicant organization has a strong history of successfully litigating the type of case proposed in the application and/or a strong history of successfully litigating high-impact cases.The attorney(s) from the applicant organization litigating the case have a strong history of successfully litigating the type of case proposed in the application and/or a strong history of successfully litigating high-impact cases.The applicant organization, even with support of law firm(s) or other social justice organization(s), demonstrates a strong need for financial support for the case for which they are applying.The applicant organization has submitted a clear and detailed case budget.The applicant organization has submitted a clear operating budget.If the applicant organization is receiving additional support from a law firm(s) or another social justice organization(s) in litigating the proposed case, the following factors would be considered: The applicant organization’s partner(s) have a strong history of successfully litigating the issue(s) raised in the case proposed in the application and/or a strong history of successfully litigating high-impact cases.The attorneys from the applicant organization’s partner(s) who are litigating the case have a strong history of successfully litigating the issue(s) raised in the case proposed in the application and/or a strong history of successfully litigating high impact cases.  Basic Requirements:Applicant organization is a 501(c)(3) charitable entity.Application must be for a specific legal case, including the filing of an appeal.The case has been filed or will be filed by November 1 of the application calendar year (90 days from the August 1 application deadline).Grant funds must be spent in the Foundation’s fiscal year (October 1 – September 30).Grantee must agree to the terms of the Grant Agreement by signing and returning the Grant Agreement to the Foundation prior to receiving the grant funds.Grantees can apply and be considered for grant funds in subsequent years based upon the results of the grantee’s efforts in prior year(s).

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not support cases where the relief sought is for an individual except if it would involve an important legal precedent addressing a systemic issue.The Foundation does not fund cases in which individuals are being prosecuted for a criminal offense unless the proposed case raises constitutional issue(s) involving a legal precedent addressing a systemic issue(s).The Foundation does not fund the filing of an amicus brief.The Foundation will not award a grant where an organization is seeking general support for its mission or programmatic support.
The funds received will not be used in any attempt to influence legislation within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).