Funding Amount

US $7,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

Foundation

Overview

The Rural Summer Legal Corps (RSLC) addresses the legal service gap in rural U.S. communities by placing law students in civil legal aid organizations. This initiative, in partnership with Equal Justice Works and the Legal Services Corporation, allows 50 Student Fellows to engage in impactful projects, such as disaster response and housing issues, while gaining practical experience over eight to ten weeks. Participants receive a stipend of $7,000, enhancing their skills and supporting underserved populations.

Rural communities in the U.S. and its territories face a shortage of lawyers, with a large population of the country being forced to travel hundreds of miles to find legal assistance. Participate in Rural Summer Legal Corps (RSLC) and help address the access-to justice-crisis for people living in rural areas.
Each summer, Equal Justice Works partners with the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to support dedicated law students who want to serve rural communities, as part of the Rural Summer Legal Corps. This year, 50 Student Fellows will spend eight to ten weeks at LSC-funded civil legal aid organizations developing valuable skills and gaining hands-on experience.
Student Fellows tackle a number of results-driven community projects including responding to disaster-related legal issues; addressing affordable housing and evictions; and providing legal aid to victims of domestic violence.
Fellowship Overview & Benefits
Gain hands-on experience addressing the unique needs of rural communities Eight to ten-week summer engagement (300 hours of service) Participants receive a $7,000 stipend for their service Students have the option to apply for unlimited outside funding through their university or other sources Provide direct legal services and conduct client and witness interviews Engage in community outreach and education including fact sheet distribution, strategic partnership development, and presentations Build capacity at one's host organization through resource development and training sessions

What Equal Justice Works actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025
201
Total given
$12.5M
Median grant
$59K
Range
$7,000–$252K
  • By dollars: California 16%, New York 14%, Texas 9%. Top recipient cities: New York, NY; Washington, DC; Chicago, IL.
  • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
  • 18% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

  • New Mexico Immigrant Law Center · Albuquerque, NM

    Fellowship support

    $252K

  • American Civil Liberties Union Foundation · New York, NY

    Fellowship support

    $245K

  • Roderick and Solange Macarthur Justice Center · Chicago, IL

    Fellowship support

    $205K

  • Legal Aid Chicago · Chicago, IL

    Fellowship support

    $186K

  • Public Counsel · Los Angeles, CA

    Fellowship support

    $183K

IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Human rights
  • Criminal justice
  • Housing

Categories

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