How much funding does Project Grants provide?

Project Grants provides Up to $80,000+ in funding.

When is the deadline for Project Grants?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

How often is Project Grants offered?

Project Grants runs on an annual cycle.

Project Grants

Michigan State Bar Foundation

Foundation Annual Capacity Building Grants

Funding Amount

Up to $80,000+

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle: Annual
Tracked since: April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Overview

Geographic Scope: Michigan

Funding Focus: Innovative legal aid projects that expand access to justice and strengthen civil legal infrastructure for underserved communities

The Michigan State Bar Foundation awards project grants to support innovative initiatives from nonprofit legal aid organizations. Recent grants have supported specialized legal service expansions and technology modernization.

Recent Award Examples (2025):

Legal Aid of Western Michigan (LAWM): $33,854 for Family Foundations Project

- Expands estate planning and probate services for low-income families
- Combines pro bono estate planning clinics with direct legal representation
- Aims to preserve generational wealth and promote housing stability in western Michigan

Michigan Community Resources (MCR): $80,000 to modernize pro bono legal referral system

- Enhances how volunteer attorneys are connected with nonprofits serving low-income communities
- Introduces new digital interface and CRM integration
- Streamlines volunteer management and improves legal support for Michigan's nonprofit sector

Award Criteria:

Strong history of service
Prior MSBF support preferred
Robust evaluation plan
Focus on sustainability for long-term benefits
Community-driven solutions

Recent Total Awards: $113,854 (June 2025)

Also Recent: $102,500 in Project Grants to Autism Alliance of Michigan and Justice Speaks Legal Aid (December 2025)

Contact Information:

Michigan State Bar Foundation
Michael Franck Building
306 Townsend Street
Lansing, MI 48933
Email: msbf@msbf.org
Phone: (517) 346-6400
Website: www.msbf.org

What Michigan State Bar Foundation actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025: 55
Total given: $22.12M
Median grant: $122K
Range: $6,000–$4.34M

By dollars: Michigan 100%. Top recipient cities: Detroit, MI; Ypsilanti, MI; Warren, MI.
0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
15% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

Lakeshore Legal Aid · Warren, MI

Legal services for low-income households facing eviction

$4.34M
Lakeshore Legal Aidcounsel and Advocacy Law Line · Warren, MI

Legal services for low-income households

$1.8M
Lakeshore Legal Aidmetro · Warren, MI

Mshda - edp - legal services for low-income households facing eviction

$1.78M
Legal Aid of Western Michigan · Grand Rapids, MI

Legal services for low-income households facing eviction

$1.71M
Michigan Advocacy Program · Ypsilanti, MI

Legal services for low-income households facing eviction

$971K