83_FR_59645 83 FR 59419 - Request for Letters of Intent To Apply for 2019 Pro Bono Innovation Fund Grants

83 FR 59419 - Request for Letters of Intent To Apply for 2019 Pro Bono Innovation Fund Grants

LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 226 (November 23, 2018)

Page Range59419-59421
FR Document2018-25557

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) issues this Notice describing the conditions for submitting a Letters of Intent (LOI) to Apply for 2019 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants. This notice and application information are posted at www.lsc.gov/pbifgrants.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 226 (Friday, November 23, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 226 (Friday, November 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59419-59421]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25557]


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LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION


Request for Letters of Intent To Apply for 2019 Pro Bono 
Innovation Fund Grants

AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) issues this Notice 
describing the conditions for submitting a Letters of Intent (LOI) to 
Apply for 2019 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants. This notice and 
application information are posted at www.lsc.gov/pbifgrants.

DATES: Letters of Intent must be submitted by Wednesday, January 23, 
2019 by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: Letters of Intent must be submitted electronically through 
http://lscgrants.lsc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information about current Pro 
Bono Innovation Fund projects, please contact Mytrang Nguyen, Program 
Counsel, (202) 295-1564 or [email protected]. For general questions about 
the Pro Bono Innovation Fund application process, please email 
[email protected]. For technical questions or issues with the 
LSC Grants online application system, please email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) issues 
this Notice describing the conditions for submitting a Letter of Intent 
to Apply (LOI) for 2019 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants. This notice 
and application information are posted at www.lsc.gov/pbifgrants.

I. Introduction

    Since 2014, Congress has provided an annual appropriation to LSC 
``for a Pro Bono Innovation Fund.'' See, e.g., Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law 115-31, 131 Stat. 135 (2017). LSC 
requested these funds for grants to ``develop, test, and replicate 
innovative pro bono efforts that can enable LSC grantees to expand 
clients' access to high quality legal assistance.'' LSC Budget Request, 
Fiscal Year 2014 at 26 (2013). The grants must involve innovations that 
are either ``new ideas'' or ``new applications of existing best 
practices.'' Id. Each grant would ``either serve as a model for other 
legal services providers to follow or effectively replicate a prior 
innovation. Id. The Senate Appropriations Committee explained that 
these funds ``will support innovative projects that promote and enhance 
pro bono initiatives throughout the Nation,'' and the House 
Appropriations Committee directed LSC ``to increase the involvement of 
private attorneys in the delivery of legal services to [LSC-eligible] 
clients.'' Senate Report 114-239 at 123 (2016), House Report 113-448 at 
85 (2014).
    LSC sought these funds based on the 2012 recommendation of the LSC 
Pro Bono Task Force. Since its inception, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund 
has advanced LSC's goal of increasing the quantity and quality of legal 
services by funding projects that more efficiently and effectively 
involve pro bono volunteers in serving the critical unmet legal needs 
of LSC-eligible clients. In 2017, LSC built on these successes by 
creating three funding categories to better focus on innovations 
serving unmet and well-defined client needs (Project Grants), on 
building comprehensive and effective pro bono programs through new 
applications of existing best practices (Transformation Grants), and on 
providing continued development support for the most promising 
innovations (Sustainability Grants).

II. Funding Opportunities Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    To be eligible for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund's Project, 
Sustainability, and Transformation grants, Applicants must be current 
grantees of LSC Basic Field-General, Basic Field-Migrant, or Basic 
Field-Native American grants. In addition, Sustainability Grant 
Applicants must also be a former or current Pro Bono Innovation Fund 
grantee from the FY17 grant making cycle.

B. Pro Bono Innovation Fund Purpose and Key Goals

    Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants develop, test, and replicate 
innovative pro bono efforts that can enable LSC grantees to use pro 
bono volunteers to serve larger numbers of low-income clients and 
improve the quality and effectiveness of the services provided. The key 
goals of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund are to:
    1. Address gaps in the delivery of legal services to low-income 
people;
    2. Engage more lawyers and other volunteers in pro bono service;
    3. Develop, test, and replicate innovative pro bono efforts.

C. Funding Opportunities

1. Project Grants
    The goal of Pro Bono Innovation Fund Project Grants is to leverage 
volunteers to meet a critical, unmet and well-defined client need. 
Consistent with the key goals of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund, 
applicants are encouraged to focus on engaging volunteers to increase 
free civil legal aid for low-income Americans by proposing new, 
replicable ideas. Applicants are strongly encouraged to research prior 
successful Pro Bono Innovation Fund projects and Sustainability Grants 
to replicate, adapt, or create enhancements to prior effective pro bono 
projects. LSC will be particularly receptive to applications that 
propose to replicate projects LSC has previously funded with 
``Sustainability'' Grants. Our Sustainability Grants have included:
     Community-based partnerships, like the Medical-Legal 
Partnership of Community Legal Aid, Inc. (MA) or the school-based 
clinic of Legal Aid of West Virginia, Inc., that work with law firms to 
provide legal services where clients are located;
     Court-based partnerships, like those at Legal Action of 
Wisconsin, Inc., and Legal Services Law Line of Vermont, Inc., that use 
pro bono volunteers to provide same-day, in-court representation and 
legal assistance;

[[Page 59420]]

     An ``emeritus'' project at The Legal Aid Society of 
Cleveland (LASC) that provides transitioning and retired attorneys with 
varied and substantive opportunities to support the LASC's advocates 
and clients;
     A neighborhood-based project at Legal Aid of Western 
Missouri that engages transactional attorneys to assist clients in 
distressed and underserved communities.
    Project Grants can be either 18 or 24 months.
2. Transformation Grants
    The goal of Pro Bono Innovation Fund Transformation Grants is to 
support LSC grantees in comprehensive assessment and restructuring of 
pro bono programs through new applications of existing best practices 
in pro bono delivery. Each Transformation Grant will support a rigorous 
and extensive assessment of an LSC grantee's pro bono program, the 
identification of best practices in pro bono delivery that are best 
suited to that grantee's needs and circumstances, and the development 
and implementation of short- and long-term improvements to 
organizational policies, management, and operations. Transformation 
Grants are 24 months and targeted towards LSC grantees whose leadership 
is committed to restructuring an entire pro bono program and 
incorporating pro bono best practices into core, high-priority client 
services with an urgency to create a high-impact pro bono program. This 
funding opportunity is open to all LSC grantees, but is primarily 
intended for LSC grantees who have been unsuccessful applying for 
Project Grants or who have never applied for a Pro Bono Innovation Fund 
grant in the past.
3. Sustainability Grants
    Pro Bono Innovation Fund Sustainability Grants are available to 
current or former Pro Bono Innovation Fund grantees who were funded in 
FY 2017. The goal of Sustainability Grants is to support further 
development of the most promising and replicable Pro Bono Innovation 
Fund projects with an additional 24 months of funding so grantees can 
leverage new sources of revenue for the project, collect meaningful 
data to demonstrate the project's results and outcomes for clients and 
volunteers, and quantify the return on LSC's investment of Pro Bono 
Innovation Fund dollars. Applicants for Sustainability Grants will be 
required to propose an ambitious match requirement, tied to realistic 
goals that reduce the Pro Bono Innovation Fund contribution to the 
project over the grant term.

D. Available Funds for FY 2019

    The availability of funds for Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants for 
FY 2019 depends on LSC's appropriation. LSC is currently operating 
under a Continuing Resolution for FY 2019 which funds the federal 
government through December 7, 2018. The Continuing Resolution 
maintains funding at $410 million. Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant 
decisions for FY 2019 will be made in the summer of 2019. LSC 
anticipates knowing the total amount available for Pro Bono Innovation 
Fund grants before August.
    In FY 2018, LSC received an appropriation of $4.5 million, of which 
$4.25 million was available for direct grants to support Pro Bono 
Innovation Fund projects. In 2018, fifteen Pro Bono Innovation Fund 
applications received funding with a median funding amount of $293,650. 
There is no maximum amount for Pro Bono Innovation Fund requests that 
are within the total funding available.
    LSC will not designate fixed or estimated amounts for the three 
different funding categories and will make grant awards for the three 
categories within the total amount of funding available.

E. Project and Grant Term

    Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant awards will cover an 18- to 24-month 
period. Applicants for Project Grants can apply for either an 18- or a 
24-month grant. Applicants for Transformation Grants and Sustainability 
Grants apply for a 24-month grant only. Applicants' proposals should 
cover the full term for which a grant award is requested. The grant 
term is expected to commence on October 1, 2019.

III. Grant Application Process and Letter of Intent To Apply 
Instructions

A. Pro Bono Innovation Fund Grant Application Process

    LSC is committed to reviewing all Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant 
applications in a timely and thorough manner. Applicants must first 
submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Apply for Funding to LSC by January 
23, 2019 to be considered for a grant. After review by LSC Staff, LSC's 
President makes the final decision on which applicants will be asked to 
submit a detailed, full application due to LSC in April. Applicants 
will be notified of invitations to full application by February 2019. 
Once LSC has received a full application from a selected applicant, the 
application will undergo a rigorous review by LSC staff and external 
subject matter experts. LSC's President makes the final decision on 
funding for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund.

B. Late or Incomplete Applications

    LSC may consider an LOI after the deadline, but only if the 
Applicant has submitted an email to [email protected] 
explaining the circumstances that caused the delay prior to the 
applicable deadline. Communication with LSC staff, including assigned 
Program Liaisons, is not a substitute for sending an explanatory email 
to [email protected]. At its discretion, LSC may consider 
incomplete applications. LSC will determine the admissibility of late 
or incomplete applications on a case-by-case basis.

C. Letters of Intent To Apply for Funding Requirements and Format

    The LOI should succinctly summarize the information requested for 
the category of funding the applicant seeks. A complete LOI consists 
of: (1) A narrative that responds to the questions for the funding 
category; and (2) a budget form. Applicants must submit the LOI 
electronically using the LSC Grants online system found at http://lscgrants.lsc.gov. The system will be live for applicants in mid-
December 2018.
    The LOI narrative should be a Word or PDF document submitted in the 
LSC Grants system. The narrative must not exceed 5 double-spaced pages 
or approximately 1,300 words in Times New Roman, 12-point font. The LOI 
narrative must be paginated. The budget form is an online form that is 
submitted in LSC Grants. Applicants who do not follow the above 
formatting requirements for the Narrative submission may be subject to 
scoring penalties.
    Applicants may submit multiple LOIs under the same or different 
funding category. If applying for multiple grants, applicants should 
submit a separate LOI in LSC Grants for each funding request.
1. Project Grants
    The LOI Narrative for Project Grants should respond to the 
following questions.
    a. Project Description. Please provide a brief description of the 
proposed project that includes:
     The specific client need and challenge or opportunity in 
the pro bono delivery system that the project will address.
     The goals and objectives of the project, the activities 
that make up the project, and how those activities will

[[Page 59421]]

link to and achieve the stated goals and objectives.
     Strong indication of volunteer interest in and support for 
the project.
     The expected impact of the project. This should include a 
brief explanation of the changes and outcomes that will be created as a 
result of the project.
     The proposed strategies that are innovative or the best 
practices being replicated, including a brief discussion of how these 
strategies or best practices were identified.
    b. Project Staff, Organizational Capacity, and Project Partners. 
Please briefly identify and describe the project team and project 
partners including:
     The qualifications and relevant experience of the proposed 
project team, any proposed partner organizations, and your 
organization.
     The role of your organization's executive management in 
the design and implementation of the project.
    c. Budget and Timeline. Please state whether you are proposing an 
18- or 24-month project and provide the following information about the 
estimated project costs:
     Estimated total project cost. This includes the estimate 
for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund requested amount and other in-kind or 
cash contributions to support the project. Your narrative should 
provide a breakdown of the major project expenses including, but not 
limited to, personnel, project expenses, contracts or sub-grants, etc., 
and how each expense supports the project design.
     For expenses related to personnel, please indicate how 
many and which positions will be fully or partially funded by the 
proposed grant.
     A list of any anticipated contributions, both in-kind and 
monetary, from all partners involved in the project.
     A list of key partners who will receive Pro Bono 
Innovation Fund funding, including their roles and the estimated dollar 
amount or percent of budget assigned to each partner.
2. Transformation Grants
    The LOI Narrative for Transformation Grants should respond to the 
following questions.
    a. Transformation Strategy: Please explain why you are seeking a 
Transformation Grant for your pro bono program. In your response, 
please include:
     An honest assessment of the challenges with your 
organization's current pro bono efforts that inhibit your ability to 
test, develop, and replicate innovations, and the reasons for them.
     At least three specific and important improvements to your 
organization's pro bono program that you would like to achieve in the 
first year of a two-year Transformation Grant.
    b. Guiding Coalition: Please describe the core team who would be 
responsible for the pro bono transformation effort in your 
organization. In your response, please state:
     The qualifications and relevant experience of each 
proposed team member.
     Whether a majority of your executive and senior managers 
agree that your organization's pro bono program needs significant 
improvements.
     The role your organization's executive director and/or 
senior managers would play in a pro bono transformation effort.
    c. Budget. Please describe what you would like the Transformation 
Grant to fund over the 24-month grant period. In your response, please 
include the following information about the anticipated costs 
associated with a transformation effort for your pro bono program:
     The estimated total cost and a clear description of what 
the grant will fund. Your narrative should provide a breakdown of the 
major expenses including, but not limited to, personnel, project 
expenses, contracts or sub-grants, etc., and how each expense supports 
the transformation effort to improve your pro bono program.
     For expenses related to personnel, please indicate how 
many and which positions will be fully or partially funded by the 
proposed grant.
     For contracts, please describe whether you intend to use 
consultants, implement new technology systems, conduct business process 
analysis, etc. and how this supports improvements to you pro bono 
program.
3. Sustainability Grants
    The LOI Narrative for Sustainability Grants should respond to the 
following questions.
    a. Justification for Sustaining the Pro Bono Innovation Project. 
Please describe why you are seeking a Sustainability Grant. In your 
response, please discuss the following:
     The impact of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund project to 
date, supported by data and analysis as to whether the goals of the 
project were achieved.
     Evidence of ongoing client need and how you intend to make 
the project part of your core legal services.
     The level of engagement of pro bono volunteers/private bar 
and the best practices in pro bono delivery that can be replicated by 
others.
     How ongoing program evaluation and data collection will be 
incorporated into the project.
    b. Project Staff and Management Support. Please briefly identify 
and describe the project team and project partners. In your response, 
please include the following:
     The project staff that will be responsible for the 
sustainability phase of the project. Please include any additional 
staff, descriptions of new responsibilities for existing project staff 
and/or organizational changes that will be made.
     The role of your organization's executive management in 
the decision to seek this Sustainability Grant and recent examples of 
your organization's track record turning ``new'' or special projects 
into core legal services.
    c. Budget and Match Requirement. Please describe what you would 
like the Sustainability Grant to fund. In your response, please be sure 
to provide the following information:
     Estimated total project cost. This includes the estimate 
for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund requested amount and other in-kind or 
cash contributions to support the project. Your narrative should 
provide a breakdown of the major project expenses including, but not 
limited to, personnel, project expenses, etc., and how each expense 
supports the project design.
     A narrative proposing an ambitious match requirement that 
reduces the Pro Bono Innovation Fund contribution to the project for 
the grant term. LSC is not setting a specific percentage of required 
match for Sustainability Grant applicants, but will assess the two-year 
budget from the applicant's previously funded project with the grant 
amount proposed in the Sustainability LOI. LSC's expectation is that 
applicants will propose a meaningful shift from Pro Bono Innovation 
Fund support to other sources of support during the grant term.
     A narrative discussing the potential sources of funding 
that have been or will be cultivated. If the project has already 
received new financial support, please provide the source and amount 
committed and further describe the plans for ensuring continued 
financial support.

    Dated: November 19, 2018.
Mark F. Freedman,
Senior Associate General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2018-25557 Filed 11-21-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7050-01-P



                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 226 / Friday, November 23, 2018 / Notices                                           59419

                                              consecutive January firsts and has a                    process, please email                                 II. Funding Opportunities Information
                                              balance on November 10 for such years.                  probonoinnovation@lsc.gov. For
                                                                                                                                                            A. Eligible Applicants
                                              Section 3302(c)(2)(C) also provides for                 technical questions or issues with the
                                              waiver of this additional credit                        LSC Grants online application system,                   To be eligible for the Pro Bono
                                              reduction and substitution of the credit                please email techsupport@lsc.gov.                     Innovation Fund’s Project,
                                              reduction provided in Section                                                                                 Sustainability, and Transformation
                                              3302(c)(2)(B) if a state meets certain                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:     The Legal              grants, Applicants must be current
                                              conditions.                                             Services Corporation (LSC) issues this                grantees of LSC Basic Field-General,
                                                 California and the United States                     Notice describing the conditions for                  Basic Field-Migrant, or Basic Field-
                                              Virgin Islands were potentially liable for              submitting a Letter of Intent to Apply                Native American grants. In addition,
                                              the additional credit reduction under                   (LOI) for 2019 Pro Bono Innovation                    Sustainability Grant Applicants must
                                              Section 3302(c)(2)(C) of FUTA and                       Fund grants. This notice and                          also be a former or current Pro Bono
                                              applied for the available waiver. It has                application information are posted at                 Innovation Fund grantee from the FY17
                                              been determined that each one met all                   www.lsc.gov/pbifgrants.                               grant making cycle.
                                              of the criteria of the section necessary to             I. Introduction                                       B. Pro Bono Innovation Fund Purpose
                                              qualify for the waiver of the additional
                                                                                                                                                            and Key Goals
                                              credit reduction. Further, the additional                  Since 2014, Congress has provided an
                                              credit reduction of Section 3302(c)(2)(B)               annual appropriation to LSC ‘‘for a Pro                  Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants
                                              is zero for California and the Virgin                   Bono Innovation Fund.’’ See, e.g.,                    develop, test, and replicate innovative
                                              Islands for 2018. California repaid its                 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017,                pro bono efforts that can enable LSC
                                              outstanding advances prior to November                  Public Law 115–31, 131 Stat. 135                      grantees to use pro bono volunteers to
                                              10, 2018; hence there will be no FUTA                   (2017). LSC requested these funds for                 serve larger numbers of low-income
                                              credit reduction for the State’s                        grants to ‘‘develop, test, and replicate              clients and improve the quality and
                                              employers. Employers in the Virgin                      innovative pro bono efforts that can                  effectiveness of the services provided.
                                              Islands will have no additional credit                  enable LSC grantees to expand clients’                The key goals of the Pro Bono
                                              reduction applied for calendar year                     access to high quality legal assistance.’’            Innovation Fund are to:
                                              2018. However, as a result of having                                                                             1. Address gaps in the delivery of
                                                                                                      LSC Budget Request, Fiscal Year 2014 at
                                              outstanding advances on each January 1                                                                        legal services to low-income people;
                                                                                                      26 (2013). The grants must involve
                                              of 2010 through 2018 as well as on                                                                               2. Engage more lawyers and other
                                                                                                      innovations that are either ‘‘new ideas’’
                                              November 10, 2018, employers in the                                                                           volunteers in pro bono service;
                                                                                                      or ‘‘new applications of existing best
                                              Virgin Islands are subject to a FUTA                                                                             3. Develop, test, and replicate
                                                                                                      practices.’’ Id. Each grant would ‘‘either
                                              credit reduction of 2.4 percent in 2018.                                                                      innovative pro bono efforts.
                                                                                                      serve as a model for other legal services
                                              Molly E. Conway,                                        providers to follow or effectively                    C. Funding Opportunities
                                              Acting Assistant Secretary, Employment and              replicate a prior innovation. Id. The                 1. Project Grants
                                              Training Administration.                                Senate Appropriations Committee
                                              [FR Doc. 2018–25456 Filed 11–21–18; 8:45 am]            explained that these funds ‘‘will support                The goal of Pro Bono Innovation Fund
                                              BILLING CODE 4510–FW–P                                  innovative projects that promote and                  Project Grants is to leverage volunteers
                                                                                                      enhance pro bono initiatives throughout               to meet a critical, unmet and well-
                                                                                                      the Nation,’’ and the House                           defined client need. Consistent with the
                                                                                                      Appropriations Committee directed LSC                 key goals of the Pro Bono Innovation
                                              LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION
                                                                                                      ‘‘to increase the involvement of private              Fund, applicants are encouraged to
                                              Request for Letters of Intent To Apply                  attorneys in the delivery of legal                    focus on engaging volunteers to increase
                                              for 2019 Pro Bono Innovation Fund                       services to [LSC-eligible] clients.’’                 free civil legal aid for low-income
                                              Grants                                                  Senate Report 114–239 at 123 (2016),                  Americans by proposing new, replicable
                                                                                                      House Report 113–448 at 85 (2014).                    ideas. Applicants are strongly
                                              AGENCY:   Legal Services Corporation.                                                                         encouraged to research prior successful
                                              ACTION:   Notice.                                          LSC sought these funds based on the                Pro Bono Innovation Fund projects and
                                                                                                      2012 recommendation of the LSC Pro                    Sustainability Grants to replicate, adapt,
                                              SUMMARY:   The Legal Services                           Bono Task Force. Since its inception,                 or create enhancements to prior
                                              Corporation (LSC) issues this Notice                    the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has                      effective pro bono projects. LSC will be
                                              describing the conditions for submitting                advanced LSC’s goal of increasing the                 particularly receptive to applications
                                              a Letters of Intent (LOI) to Apply for                  quantity and quality of legal services by             that propose to replicate projects LSC
                                              2019 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants.                   funding projects that more efficiently                has previously funded with
                                              This notice and application information                 and effectively involve pro bono                      ‘‘Sustainability’’ Grants. Our
                                              are posted at www.lsc.gov/pbifgrants.                   volunteers in serving the critical unmet              Sustainability Grants have included:
                                              DATES: Letters of Intent must be                        legal needs of LSC-eligible clients. In                  • Community-based partnerships,
                                              submitted by Wednesday, January 23,                     2017, LSC built on these successes by                 like the Medical-Legal Partnership of
                                              2019 by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.                        creating three funding categories to                  Community Legal Aid, Inc. (MA) or the
                                              ADDRESSES: Letters of Intent must be                    better focus on innovations serving                   school-based clinic of Legal Aid of West
                                              submitted electronically through http://                unmet and well-defined client needs                   Virginia, Inc., that work with law firms
                                              lscgrants.lsc.gov.                                      (Project Grants), on building                         to provide legal services where clients
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1




                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For                    comprehensive and effective pro bono                  are located;
                                              more information about current Pro                      programs through new applications of                     • Court-based partnerships, like those
                                              Bono Innovation Fund projects, please                   existing best practices (Transformation               at Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc., and
                                              contact Mytrang Nguyen, Program                         Grants), and on providing continued                   Legal Services Law Line of Vermont,
                                              Counsel, (202) 295–1564 or nguyenm@                     development support for the most                      Inc., that use pro bono volunteers to
                                              lsc.gov. For general questions about the                promising innovations (Sustainability                 provide same-day, in-court
                                              Pro Bono Innovation Fund application                    Grants).                                              representation and legal assistance;


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:33 Nov 21, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00066   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM   23NON1


                                              59420                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 226 / Friday, November 23, 2018 / Notices

                                                 • An ‘‘emeritus’’ project at The Legal               D. Available Funds for FY 2019                        President makes the final decision on
                                              Aid Society of Cleveland (LASC) that                       The availability of funds for Pro Bono             funding for the Pro Bono Innovation
                                              provides transitioning and retired                      Innovation Fund grants for FY 2019                    Fund.
                                              attorneys with varied and substantive                   depends on LSC’s appropriation. LSC is                B. Late or Incomplete Applications
                                              opportunities to support the LASC’s                     currently operating under a Continuing
                                              advocates and clients;                                                                                          LSC may consider an LOI after the
                                                                                                      Resolution for FY 2019 which funds the
                                                 • A neighborhood-based project at                    federal government through December
                                                                                                                                                            deadline, but only if the Applicant has
                                              Legal Aid of Western Missouri that                                                                            submitted an email to
                                                                                                      7, 2018. The Continuing Resolution
                                              engages transactional attorneys to assist                                                                     probonoinnovation@lsc.gov explaining
                                                                                                      maintains funding at $410 million. Pro
                                              clients in distressed and underserved                                                                         the circumstances that caused the delay
                                                                                                      Bono Innovation Fund grant decisions
                                              communities.                                                                                                  prior to the applicable deadline.
                                                                                                      for FY 2019 will be made in the summer
                                                 Project Grants can be either 18 or 24                                                                      Communication with LSC staff,
                                                                                                      of 2019. LSC anticipates knowing the
                                              months.                                                                                                       including assigned Program Liaisons, is
                                                                                                      total amount available for Pro Bono
                                              2. Transformation Grants                                                                                      not a substitute for sending an
                                                                                                      Innovation Fund grants before August.
                                                                                                         In FY 2018, LSC received an                        explanatory email to
                                                 The goal of Pro Bono Innovation Fund                                                                       probonoinnovation@lsc.gov. At its
                                              Transformation Grants is to support                     appropriation of $4.5 million, of which
                                                                                                      $4.25 million was available for direct                discretion, LSC may consider
                                              LSC grantees in comprehensive                                                                                 incomplete applications. LSC will
                                              assessment and restructuring of pro                     grants to support Pro Bono Innovation
                                                                                                      Fund projects. In 2018, fifteen Pro Bono              determine the admissibility of late or
                                              bono programs through new                                                                                     incomplete applications on a case-by-
                                              applications of existing best practices in              Innovation Fund applications received
                                                                                                      funding with a median funding amount                  case basis.
                                              pro bono delivery. Each Transformation
                                              Grant will support a rigorous and                       of $293,650. There is no maximum                      C. Letters of Intent To Apply for
                                              extensive assessment of an LSC                          amount for Pro Bono Innovation Fund                   Funding Requirements and Format
                                              grantee’s pro bono program, the                         requests that are within the total
                                                                                                                                                               The LOI should succinctly summarize
                                              identification of best practices in pro                 funding available.
                                                                                                                                                            the information requested for the
                                              bono delivery that are best suited to that                 LSC will not designate fixed or
                                                                                                                                                            category of funding the applicant seeks.
                                              grantee’s needs and circumstances, and                  estimated amounts for the three
                                                                                                                                                            A complete LOI consists of: (1) A
                                              the development and implementation of                   different funding categories and will
                                                                                                                                                            narrative that responds to the questions
                                              short- and long-term improvements to                    make grant awards for the three
                                                                                                                                                            for the funding category; and (2) a
                                              organizational policies, management,                    categories within the total amount of
                                                                                                                                                            budget form. Applicants must submit
                                              and operations. Transformation Grants                   funding available.
                                                                                                                                                            the LOI electronically using the LSC
                                              are 24 months and targeted towards LSC                  E. Project and Grant Term                             Grants online system found at http://
                                              grantees whose leadership is committed                                                                        lscgrants.lsc.gov. The system will be
                                                                                                         Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant
                                              to restructuring an entire pro bono                                                                           live for applicants in mid-December
                                                                                                      awards will cover an 18- to 24-month
                                              program and incorporating pro bono                                                                            2018.
                                                                                                      period. Applicants for Project Grants
                                              best practices into core, high-priority                                                                          The LOI narrative should be a Word
                                                                                                      can apply for either an 18- or a 24-
                                              client services with an urgency to create                                                                     or PDF document submitted in the LSC
                                                                                                      month grant. Applicants for
                                              a high-impact pro bono program. This                                                                          Grants system. The narrative must not
                                                                                                      Transformation Grants and
                                              funding opportunity is open to all LSC                                                                        exceed 5 double-spaced pages or
                                                                                                      Sustainability Grants apply for a 24-
                                              grantees, but is primarily intended for                                                                       approximately 1,300 words in Times
                                                                                                      month grant only. Applicants’ proposals
                                              LSC grantees who have been                                                                                    New Roman, 12-point font. The LOI
                                                                                                      should cover the full term for which a
                                              unsuccessful applying for Project Grants                                                                      narrative must be paginated. The budget
                                                                                                      grant award is requested. The grant term
                                              or who have never applied for a Pro                                                                           form is an online form that is submitted
                                                                                                      is expected to commence on October 1,
                                              Bono Innovation Fund grant in the past.                                                                       in LSC Grants. Applicants who do not
                                                                                                      2019.
                                              3. Sustainability Grants                                                                                      follow the above formatting
                                                                                                      III. Grant Application Process and                    requirements for the Narrative
                                                 Pro Bono Innovation Fund                             Letter of Intent To Apply Instructions                submission may be subject to scoring
                                              Sustainability Grants are available to                                                                        penalties.
                                              current or former Pro Bono Innovation                   A. Pro Bono Innovation Fund Grant
                                                                                                      Application Process                                      Applicants may submit multiple LOIs
                                              Fund grantees who were funded in FY                                                                           under the same or different funding
                                              2017. The goal of Sustainability Grants                    LSC is committed to reviewing all Pro              category. If applying for multiple grants,
                                              is to support further development of the                Bono Innovation Fund grant                            applicants should submit a separate LOI
                                              most promising and replicable Pro Bono                  applications in a timely and thorough                 in LSC Grants for each funding request.
                                              Innovation Fund projects with an                        manner. Applicants must first submit a
                                              additional 24 months of funding so                      Letter of Intent (LOI) to Apply for                   1. Project Grants
                                              grantees can leverage new sources of                    Funding to LSC by January 23, 2019 to                    The LOI Narrative for Project Grants
                                              revenue for the project, collect                        be considered for a grant. After review               should respond to the following
                                              meaningful data to demonstrate the                      by LSC Staff, LSC’s President makes the               questions.
                                              project’s results and outcomes for                      final decision on which applicants will                  a. Project Description. Please provide
                                              clients and volunteers, and quantify the                be asked to submit a detailed, full                   a brief description of the proposed
                                              return on LSC’s investment of Pro Bono                  application due to LSC in April.                      project that includes:
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                                              Innovation Fund dollars. Applicants for                 Applicants will be notified of                           • The specific client need and
                                              Sustainability Grants will be required to               invitations to full application by                    challenge or opportunity in the pro
                                              propose an ambitious match                              February 2019. Once LSC has received                  bono delivery system that the project
                                              requirement, tied to realistic goals that               a full application from a selected                    will address.
                                              reduce the Pro Bono Innovation Fund                     applicant, the application will undergo                  • The goals and objectives of the
                                              contribution to the project over the grant              a rigorous review by LSC staff and                    project, the activities that make up the
                                              term.                                                   external subject matter experts. LSC’s                project, and how those activities will


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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 226 / Friday, November 23, 2018 / Notices                                                59421

                                              link to and achieve the stated goals and                   • At least three specific and                      practices in pro bono delivery that can
                                              objectives.                                             important improvements to your                        be replicated by others.
                                                 • Strong indication of volunteer                     organization’s pro bono program that                     • How ongoing program evaluation
                                              interest in and support for the project.                you would like to achieve in the first                and data collection will be incorporated
                                                 • The expected impact of the project.                year of a two-year Transformation Grant.              into the project.
                                              This should include a brief explanation                    b. Guiding Coalition: Please describe                 b. Project Staff and Management
                                              of the changes and outcomes that will                   the core team who would be responsible                Support. Please briefly identify and
                                              be created as a result of the project.                  for the pro bono transformation effort in             describe the project team and project
                                                 • The proposed strategies that are                   your organization. In your response,                  partners. In your response, please
                                              innovative or the best practices being                  please state:                                         include the following:
                                              replicated, including a brief discussion                   • The qualifications and relevant
                                              of how these strategies or best practices               experience of each proposed team                         • The project staff that will be
                                              were identified.                                        member.                                               responsible for the sustainability phase
                                                 b. Project Staff, Organizational                        • Whether a majority of your                       of the project. Please include any
                                              Capacity, and Project Partners. Please                  executive and senior managers agree                   additional staff, descriptions of new
                                              briefly identify and describe the project               that your organization’s pro bono                     responsibilities for existing project staff
                                              team and project partners including:                    program needs significant                             and/or organizational changes that will
                                                 • The qualifications and relevant                    improvements.                                         be made.
                                              experience of the proposed project team,                   • The role your organization’s                        • The role of your organization’s
                                              any proposed partner organizations, and                 executive director and/or senior                      executive management in the decision
                                              your organization.                                      managers would play in a pro bono                     to seek this Sustainability Grant and
                                                 • The role of your organization’s                    transformation effort.                                recent examples of your organization’s
                                              executive management in the design                         c. Budget. Please describe what you                track record turning ‘‘new’’ or special
                                              and implementation of the project.                      would like the Transformation Grant to                projects into core legal services.
                                                 c. Budget and Timeline. Please state                 fund over the 24-month grant period. In                  c. Budget and Match Requirement.
                                              whether you are proposing an 18- or 24-                 your response, please include the                     Please describe what you would like the
                                              month project and provide the following                 following information about the                       Sustainability Grant to fund. In your
                                              information about the estimated project                 anticipated costs associated with a                   response, please be sure to provide the
                                              costs:                                                  transformation effort for your pro bono               following information:
                                                 • Estimated total project cost. This                 program:                                                 • Estimated total project cost. This
                                              includes the estimate for the Pro Bono                     • The estimated total cost and a clear
                                                                                                                                                            includes the estimate for the Pro Bono
                                              Innovation Fund requested amount and                    description of what the grant will fund.
                                                                                                                                                            Innovation Fund requested amount and
                                              other in-kind or cash contributions to                  Your narrative should provide a
                                                                                                                                                            other in-kind or cash contributions to
                                              support the project. Your narrative                     breakdown of the major expenses
                                                                                                                                                            support the project. Your narrative
                                              should provide a breakdown of the                       including, but not limited to, personnel,
                                                                                                                                                            should provide a breakdown of the
                                              major project expenses including, but                   project expenses, contracts or sub-
                                                                                                                                                            major project expenses including, but
                                              not limited to, personnel, project                      grants, etc., and how each expense
                                                                                                                                                            not limited to, personnel, project
                                              expenses, contracts or sub-grants, etc.,                supports the transformation effort to
                                                                                                                                                            expenses, etc., and how each expense
                                              and how each expense supports the                       improve your pro bono program.
                                                                                                                                                            supports the project design.
                                              project design.                                            • For expenses related to personnel,
                                                 • For expenses related to personnel,                 please indicate how many and which                       • A narrative proposing an ambitious
                                              please indicate how many and which                      positions will be fully or partially                  match requirement that reduces the Pro
                                              positions will be fully or partially                    funded by the proposed grant.                         Bono Innovation Fund contribution to
                                              funded by the proposed grant.                              • For contracts, please describe                   the project for the grant term. LSC is not
                                                 • A list of any anticipated                          whether you intend to use consultants,                setting a specific percentage of required
                                              contributions, both in-kind and                         implement new technology systems,                     match for Sustainability Grant
                                              monetary, from all partners involved in                 conduct business process analysis, etc.               applicants, but will assess the two-year
                                              the project.                                            and how this supports improvements to                 budget from the applicant’s previously
                                                 • A list of key partners who will                    you pro bono program.                                 funded project with the grant amount
                                              receive Pro Bono Innovation Fund                                                                              proposed in the Sustainability LOI.
                                              funding, including their roles and the                  3. Sustainability Grants                              LSC’s expectation is that applicants will
                                              estimated dollar amount or percent of                      The LOI Narrative for Sustainability               propose a meaningful shift from Pro
                                              budget assigned to each partner.                        Grants should respond to the following                Bono Innovation Fund support to other
                                                                                                      questions.                                            sources of support during the grant
                                              2. Transformation Grants                                   a. Justification for Sustaining the Pro            term.
                                                 The LOI Narrative for Transformation                 Bono Innovation Project. Please describe                 • A narrative discussing the potential
                                              Grants should respond to the following                  why you are seeking a Sustainability                  sources of funding that have been or
                                              questions.                                              Grant. In your response, please discuss               will be cultivated. If the project has
                                                 a. Transformation Strategy: Please                   the following:                                        already received new financial support,
                                              explain why you are seeking a                              • The impact of the Pro Bono                       please provide the source and amount
                                              Transformation Grant for your pro bono                  Innovation Fund project to date,                      committed and further describe the
                                              program. In your response, please                       supported by data and analysis as to                  plans for ensuring continued financial
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                                              include:                                                whether the goals of the project were                 support.
                                                 • An honest assessment of the                        achieved.
                                                                                                                                                              Dated: November 19, 2018.
                                              challenges with your organization’s                        • Evidence of ongoing client need
                                              current pro bono efforts that inhibit                   and how you intend to make the project                Mark F. Freedman,
                                              your ability to test, develop, and                      part of your core legal services.                     Senior Associate General Counsel.
                                              replicate innovations, and the reasons                     • The level of engagement of pro                   [FR Doc. 2018–25557 Filed 11–21–18; 8:45 am]
                                              for them.                                               bono volunteers/private bar and the best              BILLING CODE 7050–01–P




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Document Created: 2018-11-27 12:59:57
Document Modified: 2018-11-27 12:59:57
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesLetters of Intent must be submitted by Wednesday, January 23, 2019 by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
ContactFor more information about current Pro Bono Innovation Fund projects, please contact Mytrang Nguyen, Program Counsel, (202) 295-1564 or [email protected] For general questions about the Pro Bono Innovation Fund application process, please email [email protected] For technical questions or issues with the LSC Grants online application system, please email [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 59419 

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