King County COVID-19 Response Grants

King County COVID-19 Response Grants

Funder: Legal Foundation of Washington (in partnership with King County)

Status: Active/Past funding (2022)

Geographic Scope: King County, Washington

Focus Areas:

Civil legal aid response to COVID-19 crisis

Housing assistance (eviction prevention, tenant rights)

Immigration legal services

Education advocacy for disabled students

Small business and nonprofit legal support

Services for unaccompanied immigrant children

Allocation: Up to $2 million in 2022

Funding Source: Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, approved by King County Council

Overview: Partnership between LFW and King County to allocate federal COVID relief funds for civil legal aid. The program addresses the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on populations already facing civil legal barriers.

Examples of 2022 Grantees:

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington's Tenant Law Center: $160,000 - Legal services to King County renters for housing issues, focusing on immigrant and BIPOC communities

Colectiva Legal del Pueblo: $80,000 - Direct legal representation for immigrant communities

Communities Rise: $150,000 - Legal assistance for nonprofits and small businesses

Disability Rights Washington: $80,000 - Individual legal representation and education assistance for disabled students

Eastside Legal Assistance Program: $125,000 - Pro bono services to low-income residents with emphasis on underserved rural populations

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND): $80,000 - Legal and social services for unaccompanied immigrant children

King County Bar Association: $360,000 - Legal advice and representation through various clinics and programs

Contact Information:

Legal Foundation of Washington

500 Union St, Suite 1025

Seattle, WA 98101

Phone: (206) 624-2536

Fax: (206) 382-3396

Background: This program was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic's disproportionate impact on already vulnerable populations.