SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 27 (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).

Since its inception, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF) has advanced LSC's goal of increasing the quantity and quality of legal services by funding efforts that more efficiently and effectively involve pro bono volunteers in serving the critical unmet legal needs of LSC-eligible clients. PBIF has three funding categories that are described in further detail below: Project, Sustainability, and Grantee Engagement Scholarships.

I. Funding Opportunities Information

A. Eligible Applicants

To be eligible for PBIF Grants, Applicants must be current grantees of LSC Basic Field-General, Basic Field-Migrant, or Basic Field-Native American Grants. To be eligible for a Sustainability Grant, Applicants must also have a 2025 PBIF Project Grant. To be eligible for a Grantee Engagement Scholarship, an organization cannot have an active PBIF Grant between October 1, 2027 and September 30, 2028.

B. PBIF Purpose and Key Goals

PBIF Grants develop, test, and scale innovative pro bono efforts that can enable LSC grantees to use pro bono volunteers to serve more significant numbers of low-income clients and improve the quality and effectiveness of the services provided. The key goals of the PBIF 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 scale innovative pro bono efforts.

C. Funding Categories

1. Project Grants

Project Grants aim to leverage volunteers to provide client-centered legal assistance in areas of critical need. Consistent with the key goals of PBIF, Applicants are encouraged to focus on engaging volunteers to increase free civil legal aid for Americans with low incomes by proposing new ideas or adapting effective models in a new context.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to research previous PBIF projects to scale or improve them. LSC is particularly interested in applications that build on projects previously funded with “Sustainability” Grants.

Project Grants have a 24-month term.

2. Sustainability Grants

Sustainability Grants are available to current PBIF grantees who received a 2025 Project Grant. Sustainability Grants provide the most promising and scalable PBIF projects with an additional 24 months of funding, enabling grantees to leverage new revenue sources and collect meaningful data to demonstrate results and outcomes to clients and volunteers. Applicants for Sustainability Grants are asked to propose an ambitious strategy to reduce reliance on PBIF funding during the Sustainability Grant term.

Sustainability Grants have a 24-month term.

3. Grantee Engagement Scholarships

Grantee Engagement Scholarships provide organizations with opportunities to continue their professional and programmatic growth through peer learning and knowledge sharing with the PBIF Team and the community.

Grantee Engagement Scholarships have a 12-month term.

D. Available Funds for 2027 Grants

The availability of funds for FY27 PBIF Grants depends on LSC's appropriation. LSC's FY27 funding level remains unknown. Decisions on FY27 PBIF Grants will be made in summer 2027, with LSC providing updated funding details as they become available.

E. Grant Terms

PBIF awards have grant terms of 12 or 24 months, depending on the grant category.

Applicants for Grantee Engagement Scholarships will apply for a 12-month grant. Applicants for Project and Sustainability Grants will apply for a 24-month grant. The grant activities described in the application must cover the full proposed grant term, which commences on October 1, 2027.

II. Grant Application Process

A. PBIF Grant Application Process

The PBIF Application process is managed in LSC's grants management system, GrantEase. Project & Sustainability Applicants must first submit a Pre-Application to LSC in GrantEase by January 13, 2027, to be considered for funding. After review by LSC staff, LSC's President decides which Applicants will be invited to submit a Full Application. Applicants will be notified of invitations by March 2027. Full Applications are due to LSC in the GrantEase system on May 6, 2027. Once received, Full Applications will undergo a rigorous review by LSC staff and other subject matter experts. LSC's President makes the final decision on funding for all PBIF Grants.

Grantee Engagement Scholarship Applicants will submit a Full Application to LSC in GrantEase by January 13, 2027, to be considered for funding. Full Applications will undergo a rigorous review by LSC staff. LSC's President makes the final decision on funding for all PBIF Grants. The decision on Grantee Engagement Scholarship funding will be made contemporaneously with Project and Sustainability funding decisions. ( printed page 69887)

B. Late or Incomplete Submissions

LSC may consider a request to submit after the deadline, but only if the Applicant has submitted an email to probonoinnovation@lsc.gov by January 11, 2027, explaining the circumstances that caused the delay. Communication with LSC staff, including assigned LSC Special Grant staff contacts, is not a substitute for sending a formal request and explanation to probonoinnovation@lsc.gov. At its discretion, LSC may consider incomplete submissions. LSC will determine the admissibility of late or incomplete submissions on a case-by-case basis.

C. Multiple Submissions

Applicants may apply for more than one grant, either within the same funding category or across different categories. If applying for multiple grants, Applicants should submit separate Pre-Applications or Applications for each funding request.

D. Additional Information and Guidelines

Additional guidance and instructions on applying for a PBIF Grant will be available and regularly updated at www.lsc.gov/​grants/​pro-bono-innovation-fund.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2996g(e).)

91 FR 69885