Other Legal Services Grants (Zone Grants)

These are competitive grants that support the delivery of specialized legal services to targeted groups of people. Funding is allocated to geographic zones based on the proportion of people living in poverty throughout the state.

Geographic Scope: Pennsylvania divided into funding zones; applicants compete for funds in the zone where services would be delivered. Funding allocation is based on the geographical proportion of people living in poverty (at or below 125% of the federal poverty level) according to most recent Census data.

Target Populations:

• Seniors
• Persons living with disabilities
• Victims of domestic violence
• Other disadvantaged individuals such as the elderly, disabled, homeless, seasonal farmworkers, and victims of crime or abuse

Focus Areas:

• Specialized legal services
• Full range of direct pro bono legal services

Eligibility:

• Must be not-for-profit Pennsylvania corporation
• Must be tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Must operate primarily within Pennsylvania
• Primary purpose must be provision of civil legal representation without charge
• Must expend at least 50% of total audited resources on delivery of free civil legal representation to Pennsylvanians living at or below 187.5% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Must meet IOLTA Board's Organizational Performance Standards and Organizational Financial Health requirements
• Must provide directly or administer the pro bono provision of specialized legal services primarily to disadvantaged individuals, or provide/administer provision of full range of direct pro bono legal services

Mission: Support the provision of free civil legal representation to low-income Pennsylvanians

Additional Resources: IOLTA Funding Zone Map available on website

Mailing Address: PA IOLTA Board, P.O. Box 62445, Harrisburg, PA 17106-2445

Application Process

Applications are submitted through SmartSimple portal.

Key Deadlines & Information

• Next Application Opens: November 12, 2026
• Application Due: December 12, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.
• Grant Year: July 1, 2027

Required Materials

• Program Guidelines and Instructions
• SmartSimple Technical Support Guide
• Signed Assurances Page (must be signed and submitted with application)

Reporting Requirements

Grant Report Schedule for 2025-2026:

• For Period Ending September 30: reports due by October 31
• For Period Ending December 31: reports due by January 30
• For Period Ending March 31: reports due by April 30
• For Period Ending June 30: reports due by July 31
• Audited financial statements due no later than October 15, 2026
• Deadline for budget amendment requests: May 31, 2026

Additional Requirements

• Extensions for audit submission will not be granted; if audit is late, an explanation can be provided and shared with Board during following year's grant deliberations