Rural Economic Improvement Project (REIP) Grant

Rural Economic Improvement Project (REIP) Grant

Funder: Alabama Civil Justice Foundation (ACJF)

Award Amount: $235,000

Geographic Scope: Rural Alabama communities, with specific focus on the nine-county Black Belt region

Status: Award provided in September 2018 (historical grant)

Focus Areas

• Rural economic improvement and community redevelopment
• Civil legal services for low-income and vulnerable individuals in rural areas
• Financial education and competency building including:
- Small business services - Credit counseling and repair - Financial counseling
• Legal clinics in underserved rural counties
• Economic stability and improvement in isolated communities

Key Components

• Funding for a Statewide REIP Coordinating Lead Attorney to coordinate services across rural areas
• Funding for a REIP Staff Attorney focused on the nine Black Belt counties, based in LSA's Selma Regional Office
• Community education and empowerment initiatives
• Innovative advocacy to address underlying issues in impoverished communities
• Coordination of legal clinics in rural, underserved counties
• Creation and distribution of educational materials to community groups

Target Population

• Low-income persons in rural Alabama
• Residents of underserved rural counties
• Vulnerable individuals and families facing civil legal needs

Partnership

• Collaboration with Alabama Appleseed for project outcomes

Contact Information

• Legal Services Alabama
• Phone: 866-456-4995
• P.O. Box 20787, Montgomery, AL 36120
• Website: legalservicesalabama.org