Legal Services Advisory Committee (LSAC) Grant

Legal Services Advisory Committee (LSAC) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Minnesota Judicial Branch
Last Updated: January 14, 2025

Summary

The Legal Services Advisory Committee (LSAC) Grant provides essential funding for legal services and alternative dispute resolution programs aimed at low-income clients across Minnesota. With support from state legislature appropriations and attorney fees, LSAC ensures access to legal support, serving nearly 50,000 clients annually. The FY24-25 cycle will focus on general operating grants in various categories, including staff legal services and private attorney involvement, thereby enhancing the availability of justice for vulnerable populations.

Overview

Legal Services Advisory Committee (LSAC) Grant The Legal Services Advisory Committee (LSAC) makes grants to legal services and alternative dispute resolution programs serving low-income clients. SAC funds programs serving every county in Minnesota, with grantees annually providing service to nearly 50,000 low-income clients statewide. LSAC grant funding comes from several sources including: funds appropriated by the legislature for civil legal services, governed by Minnesota Statutes 480.242 (found here);a portion of the attorney registration fee dedicated to civil legal services;IOLTA revenue (found here); anda statewide cy pres endowment dedicated to civil legal services. What Kind of Grants Will LSAC Make? For the FY24-25 grant cycle, LSAC will be making general operating grants within different categories of service. The proposals will fall in to four categories: Staff Legal Services. Regional grants that can be used for organizational expenses related to the provision or support of civil legal services by staff attorneys to economically disadvantaged Minnesotans. Regions are defined on the last page of this memo. LSAC is charged with ensuring access to a base level of civil legal services around the state. Regional proposals will be evaluated to work towards an equitable distribution of resources.PAI Services. Regional grants that can be used for organizational expenses related to private attorney involvement (PAI) services to economically disadvantaged Minnesotans. PAI is defined to include both pro bono and judicare. Regions are defined on the last page of this memo. LSAC is charged with ensuring access to a base level of civil legal services around the state. Regional proposals will be evaluated to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources.Other Organizations Supporting Legal Services or ADR. Grants for statewide work to enhance the availability of legal services or alternative dispute resolution for low-income Minnesotans and other vulnerable populations, to support programs of law related education and to enhance the administration of justice.85% Legislative Funding Grants. These are the formulaic grant funds described above. Applicants must fit the criteria of Minn. Stat. 480.242(a). Applicant organizations can submit proposals in more than one category.

Eligibility

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